VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHBO #0054 0042127
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 042127Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0783
INFO RUEHSW/AMEMBASSY BERN PRIORITY 1374
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 7982
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES PRIORITY 2116
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 9747
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA PRIORITY 5767
RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA PRIORITY 1056
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 1182
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO PRIORITY 6472
RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL PRIORITY 4254
RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA PRIORITY 0162
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS BOGOTA 000054
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREF PREL PTER VZ CO
SUBJECT: DNA EVIDENCE CONFIRMS IDENTITY OF "EMMANUEL" BORN
IN FARC CAPTIVITY
REF: A. BOGOTA 005
B. 07 BOGOTA 8723
1. Prosecutor General Mario Iguaran confirmed at a press
conference on January 4 that results from DNA testing
indicate with "high probability" that the boy in state
custody known as Juan David Gomez Tapiero is Emmanuel, the
son of Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) hostage
Clara Rojas. Blood samples from Rojas, mother and brother
provided the scientific evidence to prove the relationship.
Iguaran acknowledged that mitochondrial DNA evidence -- while
not 100 percent positive -- demonstrates with high
probability that the boy is a member of the Rojas family.
This evidence has also been sent to Spain for independent
verification. Iguaran added that the DNA results are
consistent with other evidence indicating Juan David is
Emmanuel, including testimony by former hostage Jhon Frank
Pinchao and the individual who turned the child into Family
Welfare Services.
2. The announcement supports the GOC "hypothesis" that the
FARC did not release their three hostages--Clara Rojas,
Emmanuel, and former Congresswoman Consuelo Gonzales de
Perdomo--as promised to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez,
because they did not have custody of Emmanuel. Foreign
Minister Fernando Araujo said this proves the FARC has
manipulated and constantly lied to the Colombian people, the
international community and "any government willing to listen
to it." Venezuela's Foreign Minister alleged that the GOC's
refusal to turn over DNA evidence to Venezuela for further
testing is a smokescreen, casting doubt over the child's
identity. Peace Commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo called on
the FARC to fulfill its commitments and immediately release
Rojas and Perdomo.
3. On January 3, the Organization of American States (OAS)
Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza called on President
SIPDIS
Uribe and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to stop blaming
each other for the failed hostage rescue mission and offered
to mediate between the two countries. He said regional
bickering was emboldening the "unpredictable and hermetic"
FARC in its quest for publicity. That same day, the FARC
released a statement calling for an all-out offensive against
the GOC in 2008 with no mention of any of the hostages it is
holding.
Nichols