Cablegate: Peace Community Continues Public Relations Outreach

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS BOGOTA 004973

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PTER CO
SUBJECT: PEACE COMMUNITY CONTINUES PUBLIC RELATIONS OUTREACH

REF: A) BOGOTA 1918 B) BOGOTA 3361

1. (U) Summary. NGO Redepaz organized a trip on May 5 for
the international community to Apartado for meetings with the
peace community, other NGOs and peace communities from other
parts of the country. This was the second such visit to
highlight peace community concerns over the February 21
massacre (reftels). The first trip, on April 6, was
organized by group of international NGOs that included Peace
Brigades International, the Fellowship of Reconciliation and
the Project Counseling Service. This latest visit was
sparsely attended and did not include meetings with local
police officials and the 17th Brigade as the earlier one had.
Peace Community leaders again requested international
oversight of the GOC investigation into the massacre but
continue to refuse to cooperate with it. End Summary.

2. (U) On May 5, the NGO Redepaz (Peace Network) coordinated
a "humanitarian visit" to the Peace Community in San Jose de
Apartado, several members of which were murdered on February
21 (ref A). Representatives from the United States (poloff),
Norway, Argentina, the European Commission, and UNDP
accompanied representatives from several NGOs and civil
society organizations. The delegation of over 40 people
visited "La Holandita" (ref B), to which 94 families from the
Peace Community had relocated on April 2, and visited the
town of San Jose de Apartado, where the Community members
formerly lived.

3. (U) The Community welcomed representatives from several
peace communities throughout Colombia who had traveled long
distances -- some from as far as the department of Caqueta,
three days' ride by bus -- to participate in an "action for
solidarity for victims of the war and for the right to life".
Visitors were seated under a large, open air cabana covered
with palm leaves that had been relocated from San Jose de
Apartado. After a brief introduction, four members of the
Peace Community's Internal Council addressed the crowd,
answering questions about the massacre, and expressing
frustration at the slow pace of the investigation which, they
believed, was not producing results. None of the other
residents of the Peace Community spoke. Afterwards, several
other communities' representatives expressed solidarity and
their wishes for peace. Oscar Lopez, a folk singer known for
his activist lyrics, then led the group in several songs.
Following this, several NGO and civil society representatives
spoke to express their solidarity with the Peace Community
and chant prayers for peace. The gathering concluded with an
indigenous "activation" ceremony, during which water was
poured on the heads of visitors who passed under a procession
of raised ceremonial sticks wrapped in leather.

4. (U) The mood was rather melancholy, as leaders from
communities and organizations celebrated the Peace
Community's survival but asked the international community to
continue "to oversee" the GOC investigation into the February
massacre. Peace Community leaders expressed frustration that
no one had been detained or tried on this case or any other
similar incidents the Community had suffered. Some expressed
openly anti-GOC statements, like "we are hoping for the
Government to end its oppression." When asked when the Peace
Community residents would be ready to return to the town of
San Jose de Apartado, one of the leaders responded that they
would return when the "fuerza publica" (police and military
forces) had left the area and they felt safe returning to
their farms.

5. (U) The housing structures built at "La Holandita" for the
residents have improved significantly since Embassy
representatives first visited the site on April 6 (ref b).
There are now several long houses with individual units, with
rough wood exterior walls and tin roofs. There were no
restroom facilities and the community still relies on a
nearby stream for water, and propane gas for heating and
cooking. Livestock and dogs continue to wander aimlessly
throughout the community.

6. (U) Comment: Although the Fiscalia (Prosecutor General's
office) is proceeding with its investigation into the
February 21 massacre, the peace community of San Jose de
Apartado continues to refuse to cooperate in any way.
WOOD

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