

Currently released so far... 12553 / 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
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
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
APECO
ASEC
AMGT
AFIN
APER
ACABQ
AORC
AEMR
AF
AE
AR
AGMT
AU
AY
ABLD
AS
AG
AJ
APCS
AX
AM
AMEX
ATRN
ADM
AMED
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AL
ASUP
AND
ARM
ASEAN
AFFAIRS
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AODE
APEC
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AO
ABUD
AC
ADPM
ADCO
ASIG
ARF
AUC
ASEX
AGAO
AA
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
AIT
AADP
ASCH
AORL
AROC
ACOA
ANET
AID
AMCHAMS
AINF
AMG
AFU
AN
ALOW
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
ACS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AGR
BEXP
BR
BM
BG
BL
BA
BTIO
BO
BP
BC
BILAT
BK
BU
BD
BRUSSELS
BB
BF
BBSR
BIDEN
BX
BE
BH
BT
BY
BMGT
BWC
BTIU
BN
CA
CASC
CFED
CO
CH
CS
CU
CE
CI
CM
CMGT
CJAN
COM
CG
CIS
CVIS
CR
CKGR
CHR
CVR
COUNTER
CIA
CLINTON
CY
CPAS
CD
CBW
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CDG
CW
CODEL
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
COE
CN
CARICOM
CB
CONDOLEEZZA
CWC
CACS
CSW
CIDA
CIC
CITT
CONS
CL
CACM
CDB
CDC
CAN
CF
CJUS
CTM
CBSA
CARSON
CT
CLMT
CBC
CEUDA
CV
COPUOS
CTR
CROS
CAPC
CAC
CNARC
CICTE
CBE
ECON
ETRD
EIND
ENRG
EC
ELAB
EAGR
EAID
EFIS
EFIN
EINV
EUN
EG
EPET
EAIR
EU
ELTN
EWWT
ECIN
ERD
EI
ETTC
EUR
EN
EZ
ETC
ENVI
EMIN
ET
ENVR
ER
ECPS
EINT
EAP
ES
ENIV
ECONOMY
EXTERNAL
EINN
EFTA
ECONOMIC
EPA
EXBS
ECA
ELN
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENGR
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
ELECTIONS
EIAR
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
ENERG
EFIM
EAIDS
EK
ETRDECONWTOCS
EINVETC
ECONCS
EUNCH
ESA
ECINECONCS
EUREM
ESENV
EFINECONCS
ETRC
ENNP
EAIG
EXIM
EEPET
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
ERNG
ETRO
ETRN
EINVEFIN
ICTY
IN
IS
IR
IC
IZ
IA
INTERPOL
IAEA
IT
IMO
IO
IV
ID
IRAQI
IEA
INRB
IL
IWC
ITU
ICAO
ISRAELI
ICRC
IIP
IMF
IBRD
ISLAMISTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
ILO
IPR
IQ
IRS
IAHRC
IZPREL
IRAJ
IDP
ILC
ITF
ICJ
IF
ITPHUM
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
IACI
IBET
ITRA
INR
IRC
IDA
ICTR
IGAD
INRA
INRO
IEFIN
INTELSAT
INTERNAL
INDO
ITPGOV
KWMN
KSCA
KDEM
KTFN
KIPR
KCRM
KPAL
KE
KPAO
KPKO
KS
KN
KISL
KFRD
KJUS
KIRF
KFLO
KG
KTIP
KTER
KRCM
KTIA
KGHG
KIRC
KU
KPRP
KMCA
KMPI
KSEO
KNNP
KZ
KNEI
KCOR
KOMC
KCFC
KSTC
KMDR
KFLU
KSAF
KSEP
KSAC
KR
KGIC
KSUM
KWBG
KCIP
KDRG
KOLY
KAWC
KCHG
KHDP
KRVC
KBIO
KAWK
KGCC
KHLS
KBCT
KPLS
KREL
KCFE
KMFO
KV
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KVPR
KTDB
KSPR
KIDE
KVRP
KTEX
KBTR
KTRD
KICC
KCOM
KO
KLIG
KDEMAF
KMRS
KRAD
KOCI
KSTH
KUNR
KNSD
KGIT
KFSC
KHIV
KPAI
KICA
KACT
KHUM
KREC
KSEC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCMR
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KNAR
KNUC
KPWR
KENV
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KPRV
KOM
KBTS
KCRS
KNPP
KWNM
KRFD
KVIR
KTBT
KAID
KRIM
KDDG
KRGY
KHSA
KWMM
KMOC
KSCI
KPAK
KX
KPAONZ
KCGC
KID
KPOA
KIFR
KFIN
KWAC
KOMS
KCRCM
KNUP
KMIG
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KJUST
MOPS
MARR
MASS
MNUC
MX
MCAP
MO
MR
MI
MD
MK
MA
MP
MY
MTCRE
MOPPS
MASC
MIL
MTS
MLS
MILI
MAR
MU
MEPN
MAPP
MTCR
MEPI
MZ
MEETINGS
MG
MW
MAS
MT
MCC
MIK
ML
MARAD
MV
MERCOSUR
MTRE
MPOS
MEPP
MILITARY
MDC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MRCRE
MAPS
MEDIA
MASSMNUC
MC
NZ
NZUS
NL
NU
NATO
NP
NO
NIPP
NE
NH
NR
NA
NPT
NI
NSF
NG
NSG
NAFTA
NC
NDP
NEW
NRR
NATIONAL
NT
NS
NASA
NAR
NV
NORAD
NSSP
NK
NPA
NGO
NSC
NATOPREL
NW
NPG
NSFO
OPDC
OTRA
OIIP
OREP
OVIP
OSCE
OEXC
OIE
OPRC
OAS
OPIC
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OFFICIALS
OECD
OSCI
OBSP
OFDA
OPCW
ODIP
OFDP
OES
OPAD
OCII
OHUM
OVP
ON
OIC
OCS
PHUM
PREL
PGOV
PINR
PTER
PARM
PREF
PM
PE
PINS
PK
PHSA
PBTS
PRGOV
PA
PORG
PP
PS
PGOF
PL
PO
PARMS
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PAK
POL
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PBIO
PINF
PNG
PMIL
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PAO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PTBS
PCUL
PROP
PNAT
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PROG
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
PGOC
PY
PCI
PLN
PDOV
PREO
PGIV
PHUH
PAS
PU
POGOV
PF
PINL
POV
PAHO
PRL
PG
PRAM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLICY
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGGV
PHUS
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PEL
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PBT
PTERE
RS
RU
RW
RM
RO
RP
REGION
RSP
RF
RICE
RCMP
RFE
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
RUPREL
RELATIONS
ROOD
REACTION
RSO
REPORT
SENV
SNAR
SCUL
SR
SC
SOCI
SMIG
SI
SP
SU
SO
SW
SY
SA
SZ
SAN
SF
SN
STEINBERG
SG
ST
SIPDIS
SNARIZ
SNARN
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SAARC
SL
SEVN
SARS
SIPRS
SHUM
SANC
SWE
SHI
SYR
SNARCS
SPCE
SYRIA
SEN
SH
SCRS
SENVKGHG
TRGY
TSPL
TPHY
TSPA
TBIO
TI
TW
THPY
TX
TU
TS
TZ
TC
TH
TT
TIP
TO
TERRORISM
TRSY
TINT
TN
TURKEY
TBID
TL
TV
TNGD
TD
TF
TP
TFIN
TAGS
TK
TR
UNSC
UK
UNGA
UN
US
UNHRC
UG
UP
UNMIK
UNHCR
UE
USTR
UNVIE
UAE
UZ
UY
UNO
UNESCO
USEU
USOAS
UV
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNEP
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNDP
UNPUOS
UNC
UNAUS
USUN
UNCHC
UNCHR
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCSD
UNDC
USNC
USPS
USAID
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 09BOGOTA721, VISIT HIGHLIGHTS US ASSISTANCE TO SANTA MARTA
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. #09BOGOTA721.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
09BOGOTA721 | 2009-03-03 18:05 | 2011-03-16 12:30 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Bogota |
Appears in these articles: http://www.elespectador.com/wikileaks |
VZCZCXYZ0003
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHBO #0721/01 0621805
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 031805Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7491
INFO RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 8698
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1752
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ MAR LIMA 7070
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 7797
RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA 3131
UNCLAS BOGOTA 000721
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON ENRG EPET PGOV CO
SUBJECT: VISIT HIGHLIGHTS US ASSISTANCE TO SANTA MARTA
¶1. (U) SUMMARY: The DCM traveled on February 18 and 19 to the Port
of Santa Marta (in the Caribbean coast department of Magdalena) to
meet with local political, social, and business leaders and to visit
the Santa Marta Port, La Remonta Antinarcotics Police Base, a
USAID-funded clinic and school, and Drummond's coal shipping port.
The visit highlighted U.S. assistance efforts to counter the trade
in narcotics and improve the quality of life for vulnerable groups,
and the improving business and infrastructure environment for the
local economy. END SUMMARY.
PROFAMILIA CLINIC VISIT HIGHLIGHTS HELP TO VULNERABLE GROUPS
--------------------------------------------- ---------
¶2. (U) The Deputy Chief of Mission, accompanied by the Economic
Counselor, as well as NAS and CONS officers visited the port city of
Santa Marta, Magdalena onFebruary 18-19. Profamilia Director Maria
Isabel Plata led DCM on a tour of the clinic's waiting rooms and
consultation and medical offices. Plata said the clinic sees 20-25
patients a day, typically youth, displaced persons, and the
elderly.
¶3. (U) Teenage pregnancies are a problem in Colombia, Plata said.
Their pregnancy rate climbed from 10 percent in 1990 to 21 percent
today - largely due to earlier sex, looser norms, violence, and less
emphasis on protection. In a subsequent discussion with 25 local
community beneficiaries and Profamilia management, teenagers said
Profamilia prepares them for the future by providing planning and
orientation sessions. Training to avoid early pregnancies is
particularly helpful, as child parents find it particularly hard to
continue their education. Displaced beneficiaries said Profamilia
provides training on sexual education, how to identify and avoid
mistreatment, and the use of condoms. This training has positively
impacted the quality of life of 135 displaced persons and 250
families, they added.
¶4. (U) All participants thanked Embassy officers for U.S. support to
Profamilia's programs, which they hoped would continue. To date,
USAID has provided USD 22.2 million from 2000-2009, which has
supported over 600,000 beneficiaries in 23 Departments and 169
municipalities. Community members said additional funding for a new
cultural center would be helpful to provide a meeting place and to
keep youth off the streets.
SANTA MARTA PORT SECURITY PROGRAM SHOWS SUCCESS
--------------------------------------------- ---
¶5. (SBU) At the Santa Marta Port, Major Alexander Sanchez, DIRAN
Port Commander, led the DCM on a security program tour. The
Antinarcotics Police, Sanchez explained, have 42 officers and six
dogs stationed at the port. They inspect loaded and empty
containers for drugs, certifying and tagging those that pass the
visual, canine and equipment inspection process. The police also
use boats to patrol the loading area to ensure narcotics are not
manually loaded onto ships from the water, Sanchez added.
¶6. (U) The Narcotics Affairs Section (NAS), DHS, and DEA provide
equipment, canine support, and training to the Antinarcotics Police,
who continually have to improve procedures to keep pace with
changing tactics employed by drug traffickers. In 2008, the
Antinarcotics police based in Santa Marta Port seized over 1,000
kilos of cocaine.
SANTA MARTA ANTINARCOTICS SEIZURES UP 100 PERCENT OVER 2007
--------------------------------------------- ---------
¶7. (SBU) Lieutenant Colonel Hector Montenegro Montenegro, Zone
Commander, Antinarcotics Northern Zone, provided Embassy officers
with a tour and briefing at the Colombian National Police's La
Remonta base. His 142-person counternarcotics special forces
(Jungla) company and ten Bell helicopters cover 33 percent of the
country, Montenegro said, and seizures have risen 100 percent over
¶2007. Montenegro provided a visual demonstration of the Jungla
company's men and equipment; the elite force has less than 700
members in the country and is a model for other countries
implementing antinarcotics operations. DCM Nichols visited
demonstration marijuana and cocaine processing facilities to gain an
understanding of the growing, processing, and refining methods of
drug traffickers. Montenegro demonstrated the approaches and risks
undertaken by the Junglas in their efforts to seize, destroy, and
interdict drug operations. He said the company uses human
intelligence to identify cocaine processing labs, and has to operate
quickly to destroy them before guerilla or drug organizations mount
counter-attacks from nearby bases. Even without a drug seizure, the
destruction of a lab can mean a loss of more than USD 500,000 to
these organizations, Montenegro added.
¶8. (U) The DCM also toured barracks donated the U.S., the helicopter
hangar and maintenance shop, and saw policemen constructing a
laundry and gym using materials donated by NAS. To date, NAS has
donated USD 7.6 million for facilities and perimeter security
measures at La Remonta.
DCM INAUGURATES THE KEARSARGE SCHOOL
------------------------------------
¶9. (U) The original Los Alpesschool was destroyed by fire in
December 2007, leaving 100 children without classrooms. In
September 2008, the US Navy ship USS Kearsarge arrived in Santa
Marta on a Humanitarian Civic Assistance mission. This included
rebuilding the school, which was finished by USAID through PADF at a
cost of approximately USD 74,000.
¶10. (U) At the Kearsarge School in Los Alpes, the DCM offered
remarks regarding the importance of education to Santa Marta's First
Lady Mara Teresa Espinosa de Daz Granados, School Director Alfonso
Polo, Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) Deputy Director
William Greenwood and school children, staff, and community members.
The DCM then inaugurated the newly rebuilt school with a ribbon
cutting ceremony and plaque unveiling, after which Polo presented a
four minute video on how the school was rebuilt with U.S. Navy and
USAID assistance. Polo also provided a tour of the school and its
four 25-student classrooms and kitchen.
DRUMMOND COAL GROWS EXPORTS
---------------------------
¶11. (SBU) Drummond Vice President Gary Norman highlighted Drummond's
environmental and coal-field restoration programs and discussed
Drummond operations and plans, during a luncheon and tour of the
facility. Since 1996, Drummond has invested USD 1 billion and
increased production from 8 million tons to 22 million tons in 2008,
expecting production to reach 25 million tons in 2009. Norman noted
Drummond transportation -- responsible for moving coal 192km from
the mine to the port -- has 1,000 direct and 4,500 indirect
employees and 35 locomotives and 1,500 gondolas, while Drummond
mining has 3,000 direct and 5,000 indirect employees. Norman said
that at upon his arrival in 2003, Drummond coal transport trains
were attacked weekly; however, cooperation with the military,
President's office, and the improving security situation has
resulted in no attacks since 2004.
¶12. (SBU) Norman said Drummond's port occupies 310 hectares on land
and 5,000 acres on water, and recent port investments had increased
capacity from 28 million tons to 30 million tons per year. The GOC
has issued a resolution requiring Drummond to direct load coal onto
ships (as opposed to their current practice of barge loading), but
that Drummond would counter by offering to direct load 75 percent
and barge load 25 percent. Norman explained that the cost and
environmental consequences of dredging to allow full direct loading
would be significant, and that it would take three years to phase
out the barge loading cranes in any case.
¶13. (SBU) The port expansion and increased production would require
Drummond to add a rail line from its mine to the port, Norman said.
This project was delayed for 16 months, as Drummond found residences
on the right of way and was also negotiating with the GOC for parts
of the line that were outside its permit. Drummond has partially
solved this issue by dividing the line into three parts, operating
the second line in the northern and southern sections pending
resolution of the middle line. Norman said he expected the sections
to be finished at the end of 2009, when rail capacity would grow
from 45,000 to 60,000 tons per day.
¶14. (U) Drummond plans to expand production significantly with the
opening of its new El Descanso field, targeted to start production
in 2009. This field would enable Drummond to eventually increase
annual production to 40 million tons per year. The expansion,
Norman added, should increase employment by 2.3 percent in mining
and 1.8 percent in transportation this year alone. Norman said
price fluctuations should not be a factor in their expansion plans,
as Drummond is profitable with world prices at USD 35 per ton (the
current price is USD 65). Drummond also has premium coal, with a
sulfur content of 0.37 percent vs. the 0.57 percent average, leading
to high demand from its EU and U.S. customers.
¶15. (U) Colombia is already the world's fifth largest coal exporter,
exporting a total of 67.2 million tons in 2008. Alabama-based
Drummond sources all of its non-U.S. coal in Colombia, and accounts
for one-third of Colombian coal exports. In large part due to
Drummond's expansion plans, Colombia could become the third largest
exporter by 2012.
POSITIVE PRESS COVERAGE AND RESULTS
-----------------------------------
¶16. (U) Local and national press interviewed the DCM at both the
Profamilia Health Clinic and Kearsarge School, including El
Informador, El Tiempo Caribe, Diario del Magdalena, Radio
Universidad del Magdalena, Radio Galeon, Caracol Radio, and
NoticieroTelevisa. DCM Nichols highlighted these events as good
examples of bilateral cooperation, and how the USG is helping
Colombia's vulnerable groups and poor live better lives. Positive
placement included the following print articles: February 20
article in El Informador (Circulation: 7,500) entitled "Children
from Los Alpes school fulfilled their dream of having a school",
February 20 article in Diariodel Magdalena (Circulation: 55,900);
February 20 article in el Informador (Circulation: 7,500)
entitled: "Education is the path to a better world: Brian Nichols";
and February 19 brief in El Tiempo Caribe (Circulation: 9,900)
entitled: "US Embassy supports programs for vulnerable population".
At Drummond, VP Norman agreed to DCM Nichols' request to use their
construction equipment to improve the access road to the Los Alpes
community and its Kearsarge School.
BROWNFIELD
=======================CABLE ENDS============================