

Currently released so far... 12478 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AU
ASEC
AE
AF
AORC
AEMR
AMGT
ABUD
AFFAIRS
APER
AS
AMED
AY
AG
AR
AJ
AL
AID
AM
AODE
ABLD
AMG
AFIN
ATRN
AGAO
AFU
AN
AA
ALOW
APECO
ADM
ARF
ASEAN
APEC
AMBASSADOR
AO
ASUP
AZ
AADP
ACOA
ANET
AMCHAMS
ACABQ
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
APCS
AGMT
AINF
AIT
AORL
ACS
AFSI
AFSN
ACBAQ
AFGHANISTAN
ADANA
ADPM
AX
ADCO
AECL
AMEX
ACAO
ASCH
AORG
AGR
AROC
ASIG
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AC
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
BL
BR
BO
BA
BD
BM
BK
BG
BU
BB
BH
BTIO
BY
BEXP
BP
BE
BRUSSELS
BF
BIDEN
BT
BX
BC
BILAT
BN
BBSR
BTIU
BWC
BMGT
CA
CASC
CVIS
CM
CH
CO
CU
CD
CWC
CI
CS
CY
CMGT
CF
CG
CR
CB
CV
CW
CE
CBW
CT
CPAS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CJAN
CODEL
CIDA
CDG
CDC
CIA
CTR
CNARC
CSW
CN
CONS
CLINTON
COE
CROS
CARICOM
CONDOLEEZZA
COUNTER
CL
COM
CICTE
CIS
CFED
COUNTRY
CJUS
CBSA
CEUDA
CLMT
CAC
COPUOS
CIC
CBE
CHR
CTM
CVR
CITEL
CLEARANCE
CACS
CAN
CITT
CARSON
CACM
CDB
CAPC
CKGR
CBC
EC
EG
EPET
ECON
ETRD
EFIN
EIND
EMIN
ENRG
EAID
EAGR
EUN
ETTC
EAIR
ENIV
ES
EU
EINV
ELAB
ECIN
EFIS
ELTN
EWWT
ECPS
ECONOMIC
ENGR
EN
EINT
EPA
ELN
ESA
EZ
ER
ET
EFTA
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
EXTERNAL
EI
EUR
EK
ERNG
ENGY
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENERG
EINVEFIN
ENVR
ECA
ELECTIONS
ETC
EUREM
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EURN
ECINECONCS
EEPET
EXIM
ERD
ENVI
ETRC
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ETRO
EDU
ETRN
EAIG
ECONCS
ECONOMICS
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
EIAR
EXBS
ECUN
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ESENV
ECONEFIN
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUNCH
EINVETC
IZ
IT
IR
IS
IN
IC
IAEA
IO
ICAO
IWC
ID
IV
ISRAEL
IAHRC
IQ
ICTR
IMF
IRS
IDP
IGAD
ICRC
ICTY
IMO
IL
INRA
INRO
ICJ
ITU
IBRD
INMARSAT
IIP
ITALY
IEFIN
IACI
ILO
INTELSAT
ILC
ITRA
IDA
INRB
IRC
INTERPOL
IA
IPR
IRAQI
ISRAELI
INTERNAL
ISLAMISTS
INDO
ITPHUM
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
IBET
INR
IEA
IZPREL
IRAJ
ITF
IF
KDEM
KU
KPAL
KNNP
KCRM
KZ
KN
KS
KJUS
KTFN
KSCA
KV
KISL
KPAO
KPKO
KIRF
KTIA
KIPR
KFLO
KFRD
KTIP
KAWC
KSUM
KCOM
KAID
KE
KTDB
KMDR
KOMC
KWBG
KDRG
KVPR
KTEX
KGIC
KWMN
KSCI
KCOR
KACT
KDDG
KHLS
KSAF
KFLU
KSEO
KMRS
KSPR
KOLY
KSEP
KVIR
KGHG
KIRC
KUNR
KIFR
KCIP
KMCA
KMPI
KBCT
KHSA
KICC
KIDE
KCRS
KMFO
KRVC
KRGY
KR
KAWK
KG
KFIN
KHIV
KBIO
KOCI
KBTR
KNEI
KPOA
KCFE
KPLS
KSTC
KHDP
KPRP
KCRCM
KLIG
KCFC
KTER
KREC
KTBT
KPRV
KSTH
KRIM
KRAD
KWAC
KWMM
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KOMS
KX
KMIG
KRCM
KVRP
KBTS
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNAR
KPWR
KNPP
KDEMAF
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KGIT
KPAI
KTLA
KFSC
KCSY
KSAC
KTRD
KID
KOM
KMOC
KJUST
KGCC
KREL
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KO
KNSD
KHUM
KSEC
KCMR
KCHG
KICA
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KCGC
KWWMN
KPAK
KWNM
KWMNCS
KRFD
MOPS
MCAP
MPOS
MARR
MO
MNUC
MX
MASS
MG
MY
MU
ML
MR
MILITARY
MTCRE
MT
MEPP
MA
MDC
MP
MAR
MASSMNUC
MARAD
MAPP
MZ
MD
MI
MEETINGS
MK
MCC
MEPN
MRCRE
MAS
MIL
MASC
MC
MV
MTCR
MIK
MUCN
MEDIA
MERCOSUR
MW
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MTRE
MEPI
MQADHAFI
MAPS
NO
NATO
NL
NP
NZ
NSF
NI
NH
NG
NAFTA
NU
NASA
NR
NATOPREL
NSSP
NSG
NA
NT
NW
NK
NPT
NPA
NATIONAL
NPG
NSFO
NS
NSC
NE
NGO
NDP
NIPP
NRR
NEW
NZUS
NC
NAR
NV
NORAD
OTRA
OPCW
OVIP
OAS
OREP
OPIC
OIIP
OPRC
ODIP
OEXC
OPDC
OSCE
OIC
OSCI
OECD
OFDP
OFDA
OMIG
OPAD
OFFICIALS
OVP
OIE
OHUM
OCS
OBSP
OTR
OSAC
ON
OCII
OES
PGOV
PREL
PHUM
PTER
PINS
PINR
PREF
PK
PROP
PA
PARM
PBTS
PMAR
PM
PGIV
PE
PRAM
PHUH
PHSA
PL
PNAT
PO
PLN
PAO
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PF
PEL
PBIO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PAS
POL
PREO
PAHO
PMIL
POGOV
POV
PAK
PNR
PRL
PG
PREFA
PSI
PINL
PU
PARMS
PRGOV
PALESTINIAN
PAIGH
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POSTS
PROG
PORG
PTBS
PUNE
POLICY
PDOV
PCI
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PBT
PP
PS
PY
PTERE
PGOF
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PRELP
PSEPC
PGOVE
PINF
PNG
PGOC
PFOR
PCUL
POLINT
PGGV
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PGOVLO
PHUS
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
RS
RU
RELATIONS
RW
RO
RM
RP
ROOD
RICE
RUPREL
RSO
RCMP
REACTION
REPORT
REGION
RIGHTS
RF
RFE
RSP
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
SU
SCUL
SNAR
SOCI
SF
SA
SHUM
SENV
SP
SR
SY
SANC
SC
SMIG
SZ
SARS
SW
SEVN
SO
SEN
SL
SNARCS
SNARN
SI
SG
SN
SH
SYR
SAARC
SPCE
SHI
SCRS
SENVKGHG
SYRIA
SWE
STEINBERG
SIPRS
ST
SNARIZ
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SIPDIS
SAN
TC
TI
TBIO
TH
TSPL
TRGY
TSPA
TPHY
TU
TW
TS
TAGS
TK
TX
TNGD
TZ
TF
TL
TV
TN
TD
TIP
TR
TP
TO
TT
TFIN
THPY
TERRORISM
TINT
TRSY
TURKEY
TBID
US
UK
UNGA
UP
UZ
UNMIK
USTR
UNO
UNSC
UN
UNESCO
UNAUS
UNHRC
UY
UG
UNHCR
UNCND
USOAS
USEU
UNICEF
UNEP
UV
UNPUOS
UNCSD
USUN
UNCHR
UNDC
USNC
UE
UNDP
UNC
USPS
USAID
UNVIE
UAE
UNFICYP
UNODC
UNCHS
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNCHC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 09BOGOTA3147, COLOMBIA'S PUBLIC BIDDING PROCESS COMES UNDER SCRUTINY
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09BOGOTA3147.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
09BOGOTA3147 | 2009-10-08 20:06 | 2011-03-07 12:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Bogota |
Appears in these articles: http://www.elespectador.com/wikileaks |
VZCZCXRO0883
OO RUEHTRO
DE RUEHBO #3147/01 2812006
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O R 082006Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0265
INFO RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 0075
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 0103
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0037
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ 0033
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 0110
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0002
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI 0001
RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA 0102
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BOGOTA 003147
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/10/08
TAGS: ECON EINV ECPS MARR PGOV CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIA'S PUBLIC BIDDING PROCESS COMES UNDER SCRUTINY
REF: BOGOTA 3033; BOGOTA 3006
BOGOTA 00003147 001.2 OF 003
CLASSIFIED BY: Brian A. Nichols, Deputy Chief of Mission, Department
of State, Executive Office; REASON: 1.4(B), (D)
¶1. (C) SUMMARY. The September resignation of the National
Concessions Institute Director, amid allegations of corruption,
underscores the fragility and inconsistency associated with the
bidding process on public projects in Colombia. Dealings with the
Ministries of Transportation and Communications often leave
international investors doubting the GOC's commitment to its stated
goal of increasing direct foreign investment. While the GOC is
still generally receptive to our advocacy efforts, passing the
stalled U.S.-Colombian Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA) has become
the GOC's argument of choice as to how the USG can create better
investment conditions for U.S. companies. We will encourage the
GOC to join the WTO Government Procurement Agreement and offer U.S.
Trade Development Agency assistance to bring Colombian bidding
processes up to international standards. END SUMMARY.
CORRUPTION AT INCO UNDERMINES INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
--------------------------------------------- --------
¶2. (C) On September 21, five senior officials from the Ministry of
Transportation and the National Concessions Institute (INCO),
including its Director, Alvaro Jose Soto, were forced to resign
after recorded phone conversations implicated them in soliciting
bribes in connection with the Central Magdelena railroad
concession, which has been frozen pending an investigation. A
group of U.S. investors from Montana had dropped out of the same
railroad project because of what they described as: 1) an
unrealistically short bid timetable; 2) unnecessary and inequitable
qualification criteria established by INCO for the rail operator;
and 3) an illogical amalgamation of construction and rail projects
that created an irreconcilable dichotomy within the bidding
consortium.
¶3. (SBU) Juan Martin Caicedo, President of the Chamber of
Infrastructure, characterized the corruption scandal as yet another
setback for Colombia's ailing infrastructure, which represents a
huge brake on the economy. Caicedo told Econoff that Soto's
replacement will be INCO's ninth director in six years in an
industry where investments are long term and maintaining the same
interlocutor is essential to build investor confidence.
TROUBLE GETTING SATELLITE BID OFF THE GROUND
--------------------------------------------
¶4. (C) Colombia's bid for a satellite to support communications in
remote areas (Ref B) has also experienced difficulties. The
Ministry of Communications postponed public meetings with
international bidders at the last minute (and after executives from
various countries had already flown to Bogota) in mid-September.
Press reports said the reason for the postponement was that the
draft terms of reference favored two French companies with close
ties to Libya, and this caused concern within other parts of the
GOC. (NOTE: The meetings, which defined risk-sharing and
solicited comments on the terms of reference, finally took place on
September 29 and October 1. END NOTE.)
¶5. (SBU) The satellite bid process is unorthodox in that the GOC
has not yet secured its orbital slot. As a result, U.S. and other
satellite manufacturers will be forced to partner with service
providers who can offer the slot. The GOC's need for a satellite
as well as a place to put it has distorted the Request for
Proposal, since it requires technical as well as service
commitments. This burden is exacerbated by the short timetable the
GOC is requiring for bids.
BOGOTA 00003147 002.2 OF 003
INACTION AND CORRUPTION AFFECT SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS
--------------------------------------------- ----
¶6. (SBU) Companies who win bids in Colombia have reason for
caution as well. Scientific Games International (SGI), a
U.S.-based lottery and gaming company won a bid in 1992 for a
national instant ticket lottery. Due to factors beyond its
control, SGI was unable to meet the sales level stipulated in its
contract with ETESA (a company owned by the Ministry of Social
Protection for the purpose of generating funds for the Ministry's
public health-related functions). ETESA has refused to enter into
arbitration as the contract requires and instead pursued litigation
in multiple fora (including unsuccessfully in the U.S.). SGI is
still trying to reach a negotiated settlement with ETESA in order
to be able to eventually do business again in Colombia. SGI met
with the Ministry of Social Protection and Econoff as recently as
September 2009 to this end. As demonstrated by this case, the GOC
does not always respect standard arbitration clauses in commercial
contracts. This adds another level of risk and uncertainty for
U.S. businesses considering investments in Colombia.
¶7. (C) Another U.S. company, GTECH, has had the concession with
ETESA for a separate lottery for nine years. In exchange for
allowing their secure terminals to be used to provide banking
services to rural areas, GTECH asked that ETESA grant them an
extension that is allowed in their contract. GTECH claims that a
"colleague" (since fired) of ETESA's Director approached them for a
bribe to ensure the extension was granted. Emboffs raised the
issue directly with Vice President Santos.
MILITARY SALES NOT IMMUNE
-------------------------
¶8. (C) Multiple cases of irregularities in military tenders give
reason for pause as well. One case involved the U.S. company,
Textron, which was pursuing a $100 million sale of tracked vehicles
to the Colombian Army. Textron formally requested Embassy advocacy
assistance when they could no longer secure meetings with the
officials managing the tender and it became clear the army was
considering a South Korean vehicle that had only been produced as a
prototype and had not yet been tested. Textron eventually won the
bid, but only after the USG raised concerns about the bid process
at the highest levels. Subsequent to the award, retired Colombian
Army officials offered $10 million to the company's local
representative to rescind Textron's bid.
STALLED FTA HINDERS ADVOCACY EFFORTS
--------------------------------------------- -------
¶9. (C) The GOC, particularly at more senior levels, is generally
receptive to Embassy's advocacy on behalf of U.S. companies.
Nonetheless, we have begun to receive push-back in the form of GOC
indignation at the U.S. lack of action on the U.S.-Colombia Trade
Promotion Agreement (U.S.-CTPA). During a recent meeting with
Trade Vice Minister Gabriel Duque, Emboffs expressed concern over a
bill in Colombia's Congress, backed by domestic TV networks that
would impose stiff taxes on international television companies and
prohibit them from advertising in Colombia. Duque, who served as
Colombia's services negotiator for the U.S.-CTPA responded, "We
know this law violates our FTA commitments. But until you pass the
FTA, this law is Colombia's prerogative."
BOGOTA 00003147 003.2 OF 003
STEPS TO STRENGTHEN PUBLIC BIDS
-------------------------------
¶10. (C) Colombia is not a signatory to the WTO Government
Procurement Agreement, which could improve its performance in
executing international tenders. We will encourage Colombia to
join the Agreement, underscoring its benefits in promoting foreign
direct investment--a key goal of President Uribe. We will continue
to offer assistance through the U.S. Trade Development Agency and
other mechanisms to improve transparency and bring the Colombian
bidding process more in line with international standards.
MINIMIZE CONSIDERED
BROWNFIELD