Current Class CONFIDENTIAL lrrent Handling n a · Document Number 1998BOGOTA023 9 UNCLASSIFIED Page 1 Channel n a PTQ3364 RELEASED IN PART B6 CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 01 ACTION ARA-01 INFO BOGOTA 02349 01 OF 04 PTQ3364 041917Z LOG-00 DEAE-00 INR-QO PMB-00 ACDA-08 ACDE-00 INLB-01 AID-00 ACQ-01 SRPP-00 DS-00 OIG0-01 FBIE-00 IM-01 ADS-00 MMP-00 PM-00 P-00 SCT-00 DSCC-00 DRL-04 SAS-00 019W ------------------22FFE6 041922Z 38 R 041847Z MAR 98 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1766 INFO AMEMBASSY CARACAS AMEMBASSY QUITO DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC SECDEF WASHDC USIA WASHDC 3984 NSC WASHDC USCINCSO MIAMI FL DIRONDCP WASHDC CIA WASHDC DIA WASHDC DIRNSA FT GEORGE G MEADE MD INL-01 TEDE-00 ASDS-01 SECDEF WASHDC OCDEPS CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 01 OF 04 BOGOTA 002349 STATE FOR ' DRL PM NSC FOR JAMES DOBBINS CONFIDENTIAL Current Class CONFIDENTIAL UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF S' fATE REVIEW AUTHORITY OSCAR JOLSON DATE CASE ID 16 SEP 2010 200702452 Page 1 lJNCLASSIFIED I Current Class CONFIDENTIAL rrent Handling n a Document Number 1998BOGOTA02349 UNCLASSIFIED Page 2 Channel n a CONFIDENTIAL BOGOTA 02349 01 OF 04 041917Z PAGE 02 ONDCP FOR JANET CRIST SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD JUSTICE FOR CRIM WARREN RICHARD AND NDDS VAN VLI ET USIA FOR ARr I GAR E O 12958 DECL 3 05 03 TAGS PGOV MOPS PHUM PTER PINR PINS ASEC SNAR CO SUBJECT FORMER ARMY OFFICER COLOMBIAN ARMY CRIPPLED BY CORRUPTION INEFFICIENCY AND-A LACK OF POLITICAL WILL 1 CLASSIFIED BY POL ECONOFF PEG WILLINGHAM REASON l S D 1 C SUMMARY EMBASSY OFFICERS MET FEBRUARY 27 WITH RETIRED ARMY OFFICER ON WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE COLOMBIAN ARMY THE LIST IS DAUNTING CORRUPTION NEPOTISM POOR USE OF RESOURCES LOW MORALE FAILURE TO LEARN FROM PAST MISTAKES POOR LEADERSHIP AND A LACK OF STRATEGIC PLANNING HE DECRIED THE POLITICAL ELITE'S FAILURE TO SEE THE SECURITY SITUATION AS A PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS IT THE MILITARY OPERATES IN A POLICY VACUUM HE EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE INCREASING TENDENCY OF THE POLICE TO TAKE ON MILITARY DUTIES WHILE THE ARMY ES TASKED WITH SUCH °CIVILIAN 11 DUTIES AS GUARDING OIL PIPELINES A PROCESS HE REFERRED TO AS THE PRIVATIZATION OF THE COLOMBIAN ARMY STRETCHED TOO THIN BY MULTIPLE MISSIONS AND FACED WITH A WELL-FINANCED INSURGENCY THE ARMY IS WEAKENED AND DIVIDED WARNED CALLED COLOMBIAN MILITARY INTELLIGENCE A MAFIA WHOSE GODFATHER 11 IS MAJOR GENERAL IVAN RAMIREZ CURRENTLY INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE ARMY CONFIRMED WHAT WE HAVE HEARD FROM OTHER SOURCES IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN IF HIS DIAGNOSIS WILL BE HEEDED HOWEVER END SUMMARY CONFIDENTIAL FOIAB6 ------- I I I FOIAB6 I FOIAB6 CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 2 C BOGOTA 02349 01 OF 04 041917Z EMBOFFS MET FEBRUARY 27 WITH RETIRED ARMY OFFICER FOIAB6 WHO Current Class CONFIDENTIAL Page 2 UNCLASSIFIED current Class CONFIDENTIAL 'durrent Handling n a · Document Number 1998BOGOTA02349 UNCLASSIFIED Page 3 Channel n a RETIRED FOUR YEARS AGO FOIAB6 l'------------- POL ECON COUNSELOR REGIONAL SECURITY OFFICER PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER CHIEF OF MILGRQUP'S ARMY MISSION I VISITING DIA ANALYST AND POLOFFS ALSO PARTICIPATED COLOMBIAN ARMY IN BAD SHAPE 3 C f FOIAB6 _________ __ I HE CHOSE TO FOCUS ON THE PERIOD 1986-1996 BECAUSE THE ARMY CHANGED SIGNIFICANTLY 11 IN THE WAKE OF -THE NOVEMBER 1985 PALACE OF JUSTICE DISASTER ______ FOIAB6 I MILITARY EFFICIENCY IS USUALLY MEASURED IN TERMS OF ENEMY CASUALTIES NOTED VIEWED THAT WAY THE COLOMBIAN MILITARY'S EFFICIENCY HAS BEEN IN DECLINE OF LATE BUFFETED BY A STRING OF GUERRILLA-INFLICTED HUMILIATIONS PUERRES LAS DELICIAS AND MOST RECENTLY PATASCOY OTHER PROBLEMS INCLUDE MISUSE OF CONFIDENTIAL ____ FOIAB6 CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 04 BOGOTA 02349 01 OF 04 041917Z RESOURCES RATHER THAN INSUFFICIENT RESOURCES LOW MORALE RAMPANT NEPOTISM FAILURE TO LEARN FROM PAST MISTAKES POOR LEADERSHIP AND A LACK OF ST TEGIC PLANNING ACCORDING TOI I · FOIAB6 DISCONNECT BETWEEN MILITARY AND CLASE POLITICA I 4 C CLAIMED THAT THE COLOMBIAN MILITARY CONTINUES TO USE THE SAME TACTICS AND STRATEGY THAT HELPED THE U S LOSE THE VIETNAM WAR 11 UNLIKE THE U S MILITARY HOWEVER COLOMBIA HAS Current Class CONFIDENTIAL FOIAB6 Page 3 UNCLASSIFIED current Class CONFIDENTIAL ·durrent Handling n a Document Number 1998BOGOTA02349 UNCLASSIFIED Page 4 Channel n a FAILED TO ENGAGE IN HEALTHY SELF-CRITICISM CONTINUED NOTE 1 JMENTIONED SPENDING TIME IN THE U S DURING HIS MILITARY CARER AND REPEATEDLY GAVE EXAMPLES OF U S MILITARY PRACTICES THAT HE FELT THE COLOMBIAN ARMY SHOULD EMULATE END NOTE THE GOC'S TARGETS -- GUERRILLAS PARAMILITARIES NARCOTRAFFICKERS AND COMMON CRIMINALS -- HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF SURPRISE AND MOBILITY COLOMBIAN SOLDIERS TODAY ACCORDING TO DON'T WANT TO FIGHT THEY FEEL IT'S NOT THEIR WAR BUT RATHER THE POLITICIANS' WAR AND THE GENERALS' WAR 11 DECRIED THE LACK OF COORDINATION AMONG THE GOVERNMENT THE MILITARY AND CIVIL SOCIETY HE BLAMED LOW TROOP MORALE ON THE DIVISION BETWEEN THE RULING POLITICAL CLASS AND THE MILITARY AND BETWEEN OFFICERS I I I FOIAB6 FOIAB6 FOIAB6 FOIAB6 CONFIDENTIAL NNNNPTQ3722 CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 01 ACTION ARA-01 BOGOTA INFO ACDA-08 ACDE-00 INLB-01 AID-00 ACQ-01 INL-01 SRPP-00 DS-00 OIGO-01 FBIE-00 IM-01 · TEDE-00 ADS-00 MMP-00 PM-00 P-00 SCT-00 SVC-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 DRL-04 SAS-00 019W ------------------230E3B 042147Z BS LOG-00 DEAE-00 INR-00 ASDS-01 02349 02 OF 04 PTQ3722 042147Z R 041847Z MAR 98 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1767 ' Current Class CONFIDENTIAL Page 4 i I I UNCLASSIFIED Current Class CONFIDENTIAL ··c rrent Handling n a Document Number 1998BOGOTA02349 UNCLASSIFIED Page 5 Channel n a INFO AMEMBASSY CARACAS AMEMBASSY QUITO DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC SECDEF WASHDC USIA WASHDC 3985 NSC WASHDC USCINCSO MIAMI FL DIRONDCP WASHDC CIA WASHDC DIA WASHDC DIRNSA FT GEORGE G MEADE MD SECDEF WASHDC OCDEPS CONFIDENTIAL ·sECTION 02 OF 04 BOGOTA 002349 STATE FOR ARA DRL PM NSC FOR JAMES DOBBINS CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL BOGOTA 02349 02 OF 04 042147Z PAGE 02 ONDCP FOR JANET CRIST SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD JUSTICE FOR CRIM WARREN RICHARD AND NDDS VAN VLIET USIA FOR AR I GAR E O 12958 DECL 3 05 03 TAGS PGOV MOPS PHUM PTER PINR P NS ASEC SNAR CO SUBJECT FORMER ARMY OFFICER COLOMBIAN ARMY CRIPPLED BY CORRUPTION INEFFICIENCY AND A LACK OF POLITICAL WILL AND ENLISTED PERSONNEL THE FORMER GOES TO GREAT LENGTHS TO KEEP ITS SONS FROM PERFORMING MANDATORY MILITARY SERVICE THOSE WHO DO NOT ESCAPE BY BRIBERY BOGUS MEDICAL EXEMPTIONS OR STUDYING ABROAD USUALLY FIND EASY BILLETS IN THE PRESIDENTIAL GUARD OR THE COLOMBIAN ARMY PEACEKEEPING UNIT IN THE SINAI I DECLARED AT THE SAME TIME A PEASANT'S SON WHO TRIES TO AVOID MILITARY SERVICE IS SENT TO JAIL OBSERVED I FOIAB6 I Current Class CONFIDENTIAL FOIA B6 Page 5 UNCLASSIFIED Current Class CONFIDENTJAL ·current Handling n a Document Number 1998BOGOTA02349 UNCLASSIFIED Page 6 Channel n a THE ARMIES WITHIN THE ARMY I J 5 C SAID THE COLOMBIAN ARMY IS COMPOSED OF SEVERAL DIFFERENT FACTI NS uTHE MARRIED ONES' ARMY THE SINGLE ONES' ARMY THE GENERALS 1 SONS' ARMY THE SERGEANTS' SONS' ARMY THE POLITICIANs· 1 FRIENDS' ARMY THE GENERALS 1 IN-LAWS' ARMY 11 AND SO FORTH MANY OFFICERS GET PROMOTED WITHOUT EVER SERVING IN COMBAT AND THUS LACK THE CREDIBILITY TO LEAD TROOPS INTO BATTtE GENERALS WHO ARE SELECTED BY AN 11 ANTI-DEMOCRATIC 11 POPULARITY CONTEST RATHER THAN ON MERIT LIVE IN LUXURY WHILE POORLY PAID TROOPS BARELY GET BY __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ ASSERTED THAT MANY OF TODAY'S BEST CONFIDENTIAL FOIAB6 FOIAB6 CONFIDENTIAL BOGOTA 02349 02 OF 04 04214 Z · PAGE 03 OFFICERS ARE RETIRING DISILLUSIONED WITH AN ARMY LEFT TO DO THE DIRTY WORK BY AN UNCARING POLITICAL ELITE POLICE BECOMING TOO MILITARIZED ARMY TOO CIVILIANIZED I 6 C ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT A_CONFUSION OF MILITARY AND POLICE FUNCTIONS IN COLOMBIA HE EXPRESSED ADMIRATION FOR POLICE DIRECTOR SERRANO BUT SAID THE POLICE INCREASINGLY PERFORM MILITARY DUTIES WHILE THE ARMY IS BEING USED FOR CIVILIAN TASKS LIKE PROTECTING INFRASTRUCTURE HE NOTED THE BITTER RIVALRY BETWEEN THE POLICE AND ARMY SAYING ARMY GENERALS DISLJKE SERRANO BECAUSE THE POLICE HAS USURPED THE 11 SUPREMACY 11 THE ARMY ENJOYED FIFTEEN YEARS AGO I ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE MILITARY HAD BEEN CORRUPTED BY NARCOTRAFFICKERS MANY OF WHOM LURED AWAY SKILLED IF MORALLY BANKRUPT OFFICERS_ ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE EXAMPLE OF GENERALS WHO LOST THEIR U S VISAS BECAUSE OF NARCO-CORRUPTION ALSO HURT TROOP MORALE ALTHOUGH HE ACKNOWLEDGED THE USG'S RIGHT ## IN SUCH CASES _ HE DEPLORED THE MILITARY 1 S TENDENCY TO DEAL WITH WRONGDOERS INTERNALLY RATHER THAN HANDING THEM OVER TO THE CIVILIAN JUSTICE SYSTEM CITING THE CASE OF GENERAL JOSE VILLAREAL ABARCA WHO WAS EXPELLED ABOUT TWENTY YEARS AGO FROM THE ARMY FOR ABETTING NARCOTRAFFICKERS BUT WHO WAS NEVER TRIED OR JAILED 11 THIS SETS A TERRIBLE EXAMPLE AND ENCOURAGES OTHER I FOIAB6 FOIAB6 I current Class CONFIDENTIAL FOIAB6 Page 6 UNCLASSIFIED Current Class CONFIDENTIAL ·current Handling n a Document Number 1998BOGOTA02349 UNCLASSIFIED Page 7 Channel n a PERSONNEL TO THINK THEY CAN COMMIT CRIMES AND GET AWAY WITH IT LAMENTED I I FOIAB6 ARMY STRETCHED TOO THIN BY TOO MANY MISSIONS CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL BOGOTA PAGE 04 02349 02 OF 04 042147Z I 7 Cl lsArD THE MILITARY'S MULTIPLE MISSIONS MANY OF THEM NOT STIPULATED BY THE CONSTITUTION HAVE LEFT THE ARMY STRETCHED BEYOND ITS EFFECTIVE CAPACITY ABOUT THIRTY PERCENT OF THE ARMY IS ASSIGNED TO ADMINISTRATIVE WORK AND ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT HAVE BEEN PRIVATIZED GUARDING PRIVATE AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES LIKE OIL PIPELINES ACCORDING TOI SO-CALLED MOBILE BRIGADES ARE TIED DOWN GUARDING ECONOMIC INTERESTS OF THE ELITE I I DECLARED · MANY SOLDIERS ARE STATIONED IN LARGE HEADQUARTERS RATHER THAN OUT IN THE FIELD AS A RESULT THE BORD RS ARE INADEQUATELY DEFENDED FROM INCURSIONS FROM VENEZUELA AND ELSEWHERE AND THE GUERRILLAS STRIKE WITH VIRTUAL IMPUNITY THE REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES OF COLOMBIA FARC FUELED BY ILLICIT INCOME FROM CRIME HAVE EXPANDED FROM 600 FIGHTERS IN 1983 TO 11 000 TODAY I I STATED THE RATIO OF SOLDIERS TO GUERRILLAS HAS DECLINED FROM 120 1 FIFTEEN YEARS AGO TO 6 1 TODAY DAO COMMENT THERE ARE ABOUT 125 000 COLOMBIAN ARMY TROOPS AND PROBABLY NO MORE THAN 18 000 GUERRILLAS TOTAL FOR A RATIO OF ABOUT 7 1 END COMMENT I CORRUPTION AND NEPOTISM 11 q lliCER ON THE ARMY ## GARBLED TEXT CORRECTIONS WILL FOLLOW Current Class CONFIDENTIAL Page 7 UNCLASSIFIED FOIAB6 FOIAB6 FOIAB6 FOIAB6 UNCLASSIFIED current Class CONFIDENTIAL ·current Handling n a Document Number 1998BOGOTA02349 Page 8 Channel n a CONFIDENTIAL NNNNPTQ3365 CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 01 ACTION ARA-01 BOGOTA INFO ACDA-08 SRPP-00 ADS-00 DSCC-00 LOG-00 DEAE-00 INR-00 PMB-00 02349 03 OF 04 ACDE-00 DS-00 MMP-00 DRL-04 PTQ3365 041918Z INLB-01 Aio-o·o ACQ-01 OIG0-01 FBIE-00 IM-01 PM-00 P-00 SCT-00 SAS-00 019W ---23000B 041923Z 38 INL-01 TEDE-00 ASDS-01 R 041847Z MAR 98 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1768 INFO AMEMBASSY CARACAS AMEMBASSY QUITO DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC SECDEF WASHDC USIA WASHDC 3986 NSC WASHDC USCINCSO MIAMI FL DIRONDCP WASHDC CIA WASHDC DIA WASHDC DIRNSA FT GEORGE G MEADE MD SECDEF WASHDC OCDEPS CON FI n·E NT I AL SECTION 03 OF 04 BOGOTA 002349 STATE FOR ARA DRL PM NSC FOR JAMES DOBBINS current Class CONFIDENTIAL Page 8 UNCLASSIFIED Current Class CONFIDENTIAL · current Handling n a Document Number 1998BOGOTA02349 UNCLASSIFIED Page 9 Channel n a CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL BOGOTA• 02349 03 OF 04 041918Z PAGE 02 ONDCP FOR JANET CRIST SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD JUSTICE FOR CRIM WARREN RICHARD AND NDDS VAN VLIET USIA FOR AR I GAR E O 12958 DECL 3 05 03 TAGS PGOV MOPS PHUM PTER PINR PINS ASEC SNAR CO SUBJECT FORMER ARMY OFFICER COLOMBIAN ARMY CRIPPLED BY CORRUPTION INEFFICIENCY AND A LACK OF POLITICAL WILL i I 8 C j jWAS SKEPTICAL OF THE MILITARY 1 S TRADITIONAL EXCUSES' FOR FARING POORLY AGAINST THE GUERRILLAS LACK OF HELICOPTERS LACK OF COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT LACK OF INTELLIGENCE AND CONCERNS THAT INFLICTING CASUALTIES WILL LEAD TO CHARGES OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS REGARDING THE LATTER SAID THAT IN THE PAST SOME PERSONNEL COMMITTED ABUSES IN ORDER EARN DECORATIONS AND GET PROMOTED BUT SUCH OFFENSES DID NqT OCCUR AS A MATTER OF POLICY THE SOLUTION TO THE ARMY'S PROBLEMS HE SAID IS NOT JUST MORE MONEY BUT MORE TRAINING MORE PUBLIC SUPPORT A CONSENSUS ON WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE SECURITY SITUATION AND LESS NEPOTISM AND CORRUPTION WHICH HE TERMED A CANCER ON THE COLOMBIAN MILITARY ACKNOWLEDGED NONE OF THESE WOULD BE EASY TO ACHIEVE BUT HE WARNED THAT A FRACTURED AND WEAKENED MILITARY MEANS A FRACTURED AND WEAKENED COLOMBIAN DEMOCRACY NOTING THAT DISGUST WITH MILITARY CORRUPTION HAD LED VENEZUELAN OFFICERS TO ATTEMPT A COUP SOME YEARS AGO WARNED THAT SOMETHING SIMILAR COULD HAPPEN IN COLOMBIA COMMENT WE DOUBT THAT THE COLOMBIAN MILITARY WOULD DO SUCH A THING ANYTIME SOON OWEVER WE NOTE FOR THE RECORD THAT FOUR FORMER TWENTIETH ARMY INTELLIGENCE BRIGADE MEMBERS ARE FACING TRIAL ON CHARGES OF PARTICIPATING IN THE NOVEMBER 1995 CONFIDENTIAL ro I I Current Class CONFIDENTIAL Page 9 UNCLASSIFIED FOIAB6 FOIAB6 FOIAB6 FOIAB6 • · - · - - -J- - --· Current Class CONFIDENTIAL ·eurrent Handling n a Document Number 1998BOGOTA02349 UNCLASSIFIED Page 10 Channel n a CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 BOGOTA 02349 03 OF 04 041918Z ASSASSINATION OF CONSERVATIVE PARTY LEADER ALVARO GOMEZ HURTADO HURTADO ALLEGEDLY HAD BEEN PLOTTING WITH SOME SENIOR MILITARY OFFICERS TO DEPOSE PRESIDENT SAMPE BY FORCE AT THE HEIGHT OF THE SAMPER NARCO-SCANDAL END COMMENT GUERRILLAS AND PARAMILITARIES BOTH INVOLVED IN DRUGS I 9 C BLAMED POLITICIANS FOR PLAYING THE GUERRILLAS' GAME 11 BUT ADMITTED THAT GUERRILLAS HAVE ALSO INFILTRATED THE ARMY INCLUDING ATTENDING MILITARY SCHOOLS jSAID EMPHATICALLY THAT GUERRILLAS ARE NARCOS PAST GUERRILLA CONFLICTS WITH NARCOTRAFFICKERS WERE PURELY TERRITORIAL NOT MORAL SAID PARAMILITARIES ARE ALSO UNDOUBTEDLY INVOLVED IN THE DRUG TRADE FOIAB6 I FOIAB6 I FOIAB6 MILITARY INTELLIGENCE A MAFIA LED BY GODFATHER RAMIREZ - - - - - - - - -- - --- - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - -- - -- - - - -- - - - - -· --- - - - - -- 10 C WHEN ASKED IF MILITARY INTELLIGENCE IS ONE OF THE ARMIES WITHIN THE ARMY DESCRIBED EARLIER HE REPLIED THAT IT WAS INDEED A 11 MAFIA 11 THAT SPENDS MOST OF ITS TI 1E 11 GATHERING DIRTY SECRETS RATHER THAN PROCESSING INFORMATION FOR COMBAT 11 THE 11 DIRT1t IS THEN USED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO SPY ON POLITICAL ENEMIES OR SETTLE PERSONAL VENDETTAS dCHARGED WHEN ASKED ABOUT ALLEGATIONS THAT MILITARYNTELLI ENCE WAS INVOLVED IN THE 1995 MURDER OF CONSERVATIVE POLITICIAN ALVARO GOMEZ HURTADO jSAID HE HAD HEARD THE GOSSil 11 TO THAT EFFECT BUT KNEW NOTHING FURTHER THE MILITARY INTELLIGENCE BUDGET IS NOT SPENT ON INFORMANTS BUT IS CONFIDENTIAL IHAD I FOIAB6 FOIAB6 FOIAB6 CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 04 BOGOTA 02349 03 OF 04 041918Z 11 KEPT IN A DRAWER TO BUY NECKLACES FOR GENERALS' WIVES WHISKEY FOR PARTIES AND OTHER UNAUTHORIZED EXPENSES CONTINUED WHEN ASKED WHO THE GODFATHER OF THIS INTELLIGENCE MAFIA IS PAUSED -AND THEN REPLIED MAJOR GENERAL IVAN RAMIREZ HAS BEEN FOR I current Class CONFIDENTIAL FOIAB6 FOIAB6 I Page 10 UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED Current Class CONFIDENTIAL 'current Handling n a Document Number 1998BOGOTA02349 Page 11 Channel n a I I OVER TWENTY YEARS II ACCORDING TO RAMIREZ HAS ALWAYS SURROUNDED HIMSELF WITH LOYAL SUBORDINATES WHO COVERED UP FOR HIM HE ALSO APPEARS TO HAVE LINED HIS POCKETS AT PUBLIC EXPENSE j jADDED HOW ELSE COULD HE HAVE GIVEN HIS DAUGHTER AN $80 000 APARTMENT AS A WEDDING GIFT HOWEVER RAMIREZ IS NOT ALONE IN ENRICHING HIMSELF ILLICITLY SAID SUCH CORRUPTION IS RAMPANT PARTICULARLY INT-HE PROCUREMENT PROCESS FOR WEAPqNS VEHICLES UNIFORMS AND OTHER MATERIEL ALTHOUGH THE MILITARY 1 S OVERALL BUDGET ALLOCATION IS MADE PUBLIC THE INTELLIGENCE BUDGET AND THE AMOUNT THE MILITARY EARNS FOR PROTECTING OIL INSTALLATIONS AND OTHER PRIVATE FACILITIES ARE STILL 11 RESERVADO I NOTED STATUS QUO ACCEPTABLE TO FOIAB6 FOIAB6 FOIAB6 FOIAB6 MANY 11 C WHEN ASKED IF THE CURRENT SECURITY SITUATION ALBEIT RATHER DISMAL MIGHT ACTUALLY BENEFIT THE MIDITARY I ACKNOWLEDGED THAT SOME OBSERVERS BELIEVE 11 THIS WAR IS NOT BEING I FOIAB6 CONFIDENTIAL NNNNPTQ3366 CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 01 ACTION ARA-01 BOGOTA INFO ACDA-08 LOG-00 02349 04 OF 04 ACDE-00 INLB-01 PTQ3366 041918Z AID-00 ACQ-01 Current Class CONFIDENTIAL INL-01 Page 11 UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED Current Class CONFIDENTIAL •current Handling n a Document Number 1998BOGOTA02 349 Page 12 Channel n a DS-00 OIGO-01 FBIE-00 IM-01 P-00 SCT-00 MMP-00 PM-00 SAS-00 019W DSCC-00 DRL-04 ------------------230020 041924Z 38 R 041847Z MAR 98 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1769 INFO AMEMBASSY CARACAS AMEMBASSY QUITO DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC SECDEF WASHDC USIA WASHDC 3987 NSC WASHDC USCINCSO MIAMI FL DIRONDCP WASHDC CIA WASHDC DIA WASHDC DIRNSA FT GEORGE G MEADE MD SRPP-00 DEAE-00 INR-00 PMB-00 ADS-OD TEDE-00 ASDS-01 SECDEF WASHDC OCDEPS CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 04 OF 04 BOGOTA 002349 STATE FOR ARA DRL PM NSC FOR JAMES DOBBINS CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 BOGOTA 02349 04 OF 04 041918Z ONDCP FOR JANET CRIST SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD JUSTICE FOR CRIM WARREN RICHARD AND NDDS VAN VLIET USIA FOR AR I GAR E O 12958 DECL 3 05 03 TAGS PGOV MOPS PHUM PTER PINR PINS ASEC SNAR CO SUBJECT FORMER ARMY OFFICER COLOMBIAN ARMY CRIPPLED BY CORRUPTION INEFFICIENCY AND LACK OF POLITICAL WILL FOUGHT TO'WIN 11 POLITICIANS HE CLAIMED HELP BOTH THE GUERRILLAS Current Class CONFIDENTIAL Page 12 UNCLASSIFIED _JI_ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Current Class CONFIDENTIAL •current Handling n a Document Number 1998BOGOTA02349 ·UNCLASSIFIED Page 13 Channel n a AND THE MILITARY AT THE SAME TIME ALTHOUGH HE DID NOT ELABORATE HE EXPRESSED DISGUST FOR PRESIDENT SAMPER 1 S DECISION TO PROMOTE SEVERAL GENERALS BEFORE THEY HAD SERVED THE REQUISITE TIME IN GRADE AND DEPLORED ONE RECIPIENT'S EXPLANATION FOR WHY HE ACCEPTED IF HE DIDN'T SOMEONE ELSE WOULD I AGREED WITH RSO'S COMMENT ABOUT PUBLIC APATHY IN COLOMBIA MANIFESTED IN EARLY 1997 WHEN BOGOTA RESIDENTS PAID VIRTUALLY NO ATTENTION TO THE FIVEDAY CLASH BETWEEN GUERRILLAS AND THE ARMY IN SAN JUANITO ONLY THIRTY MILES AWAY REMARKED THAT AN ARMY OFFICER WAS AT SAN JUANITO HIS REPEATED CALLS TO HEADQUARTERS FOR GUIDANCE AND REINFORCEMENTS WERE IGNORED I I I FOIAB6 FOIAB6 GIVING THE BAD NEWS TO GENERAL BONETT 12 C POL ECON COUNSELOR NOTED COLOMBIA SPENDS RELATIVELY LESS ON ITS MILITARY THAN OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE HEMISPHERE EVEN THOUGH IT IS CONFRONTING A MAJOR INSURGENCY I AGREED BUT SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE MILITARY NEEDS RESOURCES IT NEEDS ADEQUATE INTERNAL CONFIDENTIAL FOIAB6 CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 BOGOTA 02349 04 OF 04 041918Z CONTROLS TO ENSURE MONEY IS SPENT CORRECTLY __ SAID ARMED FORCES COMMANDER BONETT HAS BEEN IN TOUCH WITH HIM AND IF BONETT ASKS TO MEET WITH HIM I I PLANS TO SPEAK FRANKLY AND PROVIDE EVEN MORE DETAILS ABOUT CORRUPTION AND INEFFICIENCY THAN HE WAS WILLING TO DO WITH EMBASSY PERSONNEL 11 I EXPECT CRITICISM - - - - -- SAID BUT THE PUBLIC HAS A RI GHT' TO KNOW IF THEIR MONEY IS BEING SPENT ON HELICOPTERS OR MERCEDESES 11 - i_ _ RAMIREZ AND DEL RIO 11 FOIAB6 FOIAB6 FOIAB6 I FOIAB6 THE TWO MOST CORRUPT I 13 C AFTER THE MEETING PRIVATELY TOLD POL ECON COUNSELOR THAT MAJOR GENERAL RAMIREZ AND THE FORMER COMMANDER OF THE ARMY'S 17TH BRIGADE BRIGADIER GENERAL RITO ALEJO DEL RIO ARE THE TWO MOST CORRUPT ARMY OFFICERS IN COLOMBIA HE CLAIMED THAT DEL RIO TOLD 17TH BRIGADE PERSONNEL TO COOPERATE WITH PARAMILITARIES WHENEVER DEL RIO WAS PHYSICALLY ABSENT FROM THE Current Class CONFIDENTIAL Page ·13 UNCLASSIFIED FOIAB6 Current Class CONFIDENTIAL Current Handling n a Document Number 1998BOGOTA02349 UNCLASSIFIED Page 14 Channel n a AREA HE A SO ACCUSED DEL RIO OF INVOLVEMENT IN DIVERTING A PLANELOAD OF WEAPONS AND AMMUNITION TO PARAMILITARIES IN THE MAGDALENA MEDIO REGION IN 1985 NOTE THE INCIDENT CAME TO LIGHT ONLY BECAUSE THE OVERLOADED PLANE CRASHED END NOTE COMMENTED THAT BOTH ARE NOW IN KEY POSITIONS INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE ARMY AND COMMANDER OF THE BOGOTA-BASED 13TH BRIGADE RESPECTIVELY TO PREVENT ANY POSSIBLE COUP ATTEMPTS I I I I 14 C COMMENT CONFIRMED OUR IMPRESSIONS ABOU'J' PROBLEMS THAT ARE SERIOUSLY HAMPERING THE COLOMBIAN ARMY'S PERFORMANCE HE FREQUENTLY HARKENED BACK TO THE GOOD OLD DAYS WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG OFFICER AND PERHAPS EXAGGERATED THE DECLINE THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE SINCE THEN FOR ALL WE KNOW HE MAY ALSO HAVE BEEN MOTIVATED BY CONFIDENTIAL FOIAB6 FOIAB6 CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 04 · BOGOTA 02349 04 OF 04 041918Z PERSONAL ANIMUS HAVI G REACHED ONLY - - - ' - BEFORE RETIRING BUT WE HAVE NO REASON TO DOUBT HIS CREDIBILITY HIS DIAGNOSIS STRUCK US AS ACCURATE BUT IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER THE MEDICINE HE PRESCRIBES -- ROOTING OUT WASTE FRAUD AND ABUSE - WILL BE PARTICULARLY WELCOME TO THE PATIENT GARZA Current Class CONFIDENTIAL FOIA B6 Page 14 UNCLASSIFIED - - - - - - - - - ---··-· This document is from the holdings of The National Security Archive Suite 701 Gelman Library The George Washington University 2130 H Street NW Washington D C 20037 Phone 202 994-7000 Fax 202 994-7005 nsarchiv@gwu edu