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OAS REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR PEACE PROCESS IN COLOMBIA

The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, said today that the OAS will maintain its support of the Colombian government’s efforts to pursue and consolidate peace in that country. Insulza noted that the hemispheric body will continue to accompany the disarmament and reintegration of the nearly 31,000 demobilized members of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) .

The Secretary General warned that although the demobilization and disarmament process of the AUC forces has been positive, the Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia (MAPP, by its Spanish acronym) believes it is necessary to strengthen its follow-up of issues related to the reintegration of former combatants and the monitoring of the Justice and Peace Law.

“Our opinion continues to be positive. We believe that it is necessary to emphasize each of the different aspects—the verification of the disarmament, verification of the demobilization and compliance with justice and peace norms—and hopefully this will be the period in which new steps be taken in the process of demobilization and pacification of the country,” Insulza emphasized as he presented the seventh quarterly MAPP report to the OAS Permanent Council.

“We are concerned about the issue of reintegration, both in terms of the guarantees that can be granted to the former AUC members as well to the extent of its coverage,” Insulza said. “We believe that this is a crucial issue and one that still presents difficulties in implementation, especially in aspects of psychosocial and educational adaptation.”

Insulza added that the OAS is convinced that the best guarantee against “a remobilization of former combatants under any flag or insignia” is their adequate reintegration into society. The report stresses concern over caches of arms discovered after the demobilization of some AUC groups, and Insulza offered assurances that the OAS/MAPP will pay close attention to verification procedures. He urged the authorities to carry out any pertinent investigations.

“It is important to pay considerable attention to the reintegration issue,” said Insulza, who also cautioned about the need to monitor the Justice and Peace Law, which is still pending approval of a final regulation by the Constitutional Court before it can be applied. “Our basic concern is that this process is developed and that the trials are carried out in accordance with the procedures determined by the law,” added the Secretary General. He also expressed appreciation for the key role that the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights is playing in the OAS/MAPP program in Colombia.

Insulza also noted the progress made in negotiations between the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) as part of the peace process in that country. He stressed that the member countries and observers are willing to help strengthen the OAS mission in Colombia. “We hope that the OAS will continue to have the relevant presence that it has had until now in this process,” he said.

Ambassador Camilo Ospina of Colombia, who delivered his first remarks to the Permanent Council as his country’s new Permanent Representative to the OAS, said that the situation in Colombia is better than it was four years ago, “due on one hand to the increase in security and presence of the state, and on the other to the demobilization and dismantling of the armed structures of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia.” He reported that homicides have substantially diminished and that the numbers of people displaced by violence have decreased.

On the issue of reintegration, Ospina indicated the need for people who have been demobilized to have better access to health care, education and jobs, recognizing that although there has been some progress on humanitarian issues, one of the most difficult tasks is to increase productive projects that would provide stable work.

During the session, chaired by Ambassador Henry Illes of Suriname, Insulza and Ospina both noted a number of contributions made to the MAPP, which is headed by Sergio Caramagna. The governments of the Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, the United States, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden and Thailand have made contributions, and Argentina, Chile, Guatemala, Peru and Norway have offered support.

The delegations congratulated the Secretary General for the “historic OAS effort to support the peace process in Colombia.” Insulza visited Colombia in July to verify firsthand the progress, achievements and difficulties encountered as the OAS seeks to support the demobilization of armed groups that played a leading role in one of the most violent stages of recent Colombian history.

Reference: E-180/06