Cablegate: Colombian Cerd Candidate Pastor Elias Murillo

VZCZCXYZ0007
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBO #1786 3541600
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 201600Z DEC 05
FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0627
INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1312
RUCNDTA/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1797

UNCLAS BOGOTA 011786

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/AND, IO/SHA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC PREL PHUM CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIAN CERD CANDIDATE PASTOR ELIAS MURILLO

REF: BOGOTA 8702

Sensitive but unclassified. Not for internet distribution.

1. Post provides the following additional information about
Pastor Elias Murillo Martinez, Colombian candidate for the
Committee on Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD).

2. The Embassy, particularly the Public Affairs Section
(PAS), has collaborated with Pastor Murillo on several
cultural initiatives. In March, Murillo was instrumental in
the organization of a speaker program with U.S.
anthropologist Sheila Walker from Spelman College. He has
become an excellent resource on Afro-Colombian populations,
particularly in Colombia's troubled pacific coast region. In
addition, PAS recently asked Murillo to be a part of the
selection panel for a USG-funded fellowship program for
economically disadvantaged Afro-Colombian university
students. The program seeks to expand access to quality
higher education overseas while increasing employment
opportunities upon graduation. Murillo is a valued
interlocutor and Post believes he would be an asset to the
work of CERD.

3. Post provided general information about Pastor Murillo's
work with the Afro-Colombia community and the MFA in reftel.
CERD elections will be held on January 14, 2006.

WOOD

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