Tuesday, March 18, 2008

The OAS response

The OAS has issued a draft resolution regarding the Colombia-Ecuador incident, which does not say all that much. It “rejects” the Colombian incursion, asserting that it violated Articles 19 and 21 of the OAS Charter, but also “takes note” of Colombia’s apology. It then suggests creating “mechanisms” and “measures” to foster better bilateral relations. All the OAS documents surrounding the incident can be found here.

More interesting is the report of the commission that went to Ecuador and Colombia. Regarding the laptops:

[T]he OAS Secretary General and some Commission members held a brief meeting with members of INTERPOL who had come to Colombia at the request of that country’s government to conduct an expert examination of three computers, three USBs (portable memory), and three hard disks, which, according to the Colombian officials, had been found in the FARC camp. The INTERPOL delegates, accompanied by officials from the Administrative Security Department (DAS), informed the Commission that the results of their investigation would be ready in late April (p. 5).

Now, as for the differing versions of events:

The Government of Colombia indicates that the operation was initially planned to take place in Colombian territory because, according to intelligence information, Raúl Reyes was going to be at that camp that night. At 22:30 hours on Friday, February 29, they received human intelligence information to the effect that Raúl Reyes was at a camp located in Ecuadorian territory. For that reason they decided to carry out a dual operation on both of the identified camps. The two operations were carried out using different planes. During its flight over the area, the Commission was shown the location of the camp on Colombian territory and a map showing where the bombs were released [See Annex 6 – List of documents received by the Commission].

The Government of Ecuador expresses doubts about the –in its view—very short period of time in which the Colombian authorities decided to carry out the operation and regards it as unlikely that it was done on the basis of human intelligence data because of the precision of the bombing. The Government of Ecuador also states that, according to the investigation carried out by its Air Force technical staff, six 500-pound GBU12 bombs were dropped by planes flying from South to North and four more were dropped by planes flying in a North-South direction, from Ecuadorian air space. It also points out that, judging by the remains of the bombs found at the camp, their delivery required advanced technology, which, they say, the Colombian Air Force does not possess (p. 6)

From what I see, however, the OAS is not going to verify which version is accurate. Instead, it seeks to move forward and improve relations. But if we want to establish confidence, isn’t it necessary to determine the truth of the incident first?

12 comments:

Justin Delacour 8:23 AM  

But if we want to establish confidence, isn’t it necessary to determine the truth of the incident first?

Well, judged from the perspective of international law, I don't think the Colombians' version of events makes their operation any less illegal.

Will the OAS ascertain which version of events is correct? Not sure. Wasn't there supposed to be an OAS fact-finding mission? Will that go forward?

Greg Weeks 8:35 AM  

I believe that commission was the fact finding mission.

Paul 11:14 AM  

I just hope this doesn't discourage Uribe from blowing FARC leaders to smithereens in countries that harbor Colombian killing terrorists.

Justin Delacour 3:01 PM  

I just hope this doesn't discourage Uribe from blowing FARC leaders to smithereens in countries that harbor Colombian killing terrorists.

Nice.

Ever considered hoping for peace, Paul?

Paul 5:13 PM  

"Nice.

Ever considered hoping for peace, Paul?"

The only peace you hope for is on the FARC's and your master Chavez's terms.

Anonymous,  6:03 PM  

Paul's a child why do you even respond to him? He doesn't speak Spanish, is not Latino, has no knowledge of Latin American history, and probably has never been outside of the mall ... just some young warmongering stupid American getting his connection tapped by DHS who could care less about peace in Latin America.

Ignore him.

Bosque 6:17 PM  

It would be nice to hear the truth of the incident so as to assign legitimacy.

However, I don't think it will come from Colombian government officials. More than likely Ecuadorian officials will post the findings.

Frankly, I think the US bombed the camp to stop the negotiations and Colombia is just covering for it.

Paul 6:58 PM  

Anon got quite a few things wrong, though I almost didn't leave the Oviedo mall when I saw all the beautiful Paisas.

Tambopaxi 8:57 PM  

The OAS fact finding mission headed by SecGen Insulza did in fact come through Quito, went up to the attack site and then went over to the Colombian side of the border. Ecuadorian press said that the OAS would publish both countries' version of what happened since the OAS apparently couldn't determine which story was more accurate/true.

Justin Delacour 1:05 AM  

Paul's a child why do you even respond to him? He doesn't speak Spanish, is not Latino, has no knowledge of Latin American history, and probably has never been outside of the mall ... just some young warmongering stupid American getting his connection tapped by DHS who could care less about peace in Latin America.

Ignore him.


That's the best advice I've heard in a while. Usually I do ignore him, but occasionally I just can't help myself.

I will give Paul just a tad bit of credit, though. Paul sometimes says what the other minions of empire think but are not honest enough to openly express. I prefer Paul's straight talk to Boz's never-ending spin game.

Paul 8:19 AM  

"Paul sometimes says what the other minions of empire think but are not honest enough to openly express. I prefer Paul's straight talk to Boz's never-ending spin game."

Damn, I keep forgetting to have those "minion of empire" t-shirts made up.

Boli-Nica 2:39 PM  

It also points out that, judging by the remains of the bombs found at the camp, their delivery required advanced technology, which, they say, the Colombian Air Force does not possess (p. 6)

So Ecuador has the technical capabilities to determine what technology Colombia has or does not have?

Is Ecuador specifically saying it has found in the remains of the blast site, evidence of ordinance not commonly known to be in Colombia's inventory?
Did they find evidence of forward air combat controllers which might have zeroed in on the camp with lasers?
Someone read the Clancy book where the US bombs the traffickers house.

What Colombia does have is some pretty darn good Brazilian turboprops with precision-guided weapons. High-tech? Yes and no. These are capabilities that can be put together with money, the execution requires training and experience. The Ecuadorians claim they tracked the planes - prop planes.

If there was US involvement it was most likely at the training level probably helping with instant satellite imaging to pinpoint the target.

And if there was, I say cool, an assist, five more to go.

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