Members of the consular staff on the 11th floor were a bit nervous and very polite. They had informed the head of security in the lobby, who was accommodating but informed Bill Carpenter that he couldn't videotape in the lobby. Bill agreed then turned on the camera.

Five of us met with Vice Consul Martha Lucia Barbosa Hernandez (Consul General Becharra was out of town), Legal Counsel Marco Garzon and a third person, a woman whose name I didn't get. Tim Paulson was our principal rep. He also delivered the attached letter to Consul General Becharra and President Santos. David Bacon spoke in Spanish and reiterated our opposition to the repression against union and civil rights activists and also emphasized our concern for the safety and well being of William Mendoza, Juan Carlos Galvis, and Felix Manuel Banguero. Fred Hirsh and I spoke briefly. Tim reminded the consular staff that they would be hearing from us in the future. Bill Carpenter videotaped the meeting.


--Rodger Scott