US embassy cable - 04TEGUCIGALPA858

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 TEGUCIGALPA 000858 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR H AND CODEL BALLENGER 
STATE FOR PM, INL/LP, DRL/MLA, DRL/IL, AND EB 
STATE FOR WHA/CCA, WHA/EPSC, WHA/PPC, AND WHA/CEN 
STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CEN 
STATE PASS USTR 
DOL FOR ILAB 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/14/2014 
TAGS: PREL, OREP, ETRD, SNAR, PGOV, PHUM, EAGR, CU, HO 
SUBJECT: CODEL BALLENGER DISCUSSES CUBA, IRAQ, CAFTA, 
NARCOTRAFFICKING, AND U.S. ASSISTANCE WITH PRES. MADURO 
 
REF: A. TEGUCIGALPA 782 
     B. TEGUCIGALPA 751 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Larry L. Palmer; 
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (SBU) Summary:  On April 12, CODEL Ballenger met with 
Honduran President Ricardo Maduro.  Issues discussed at the 
meeting included Cuba, Iraq, the Central American Free Trade 
Agreement (CAFTA), narcotrafficking, and 
humanitarian/development assistance.  Representative 
Ballenger expressed U.S. gratitude for the Government of 
Honduras' (GOH) steadfast support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 
(OIF), the leadership the GOH has demonstrated in introducing 
a UN Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) resolution on Cuba, 
and Honduran efforts to interdict narcotics bound for U.S. 
markets.  Rep. Ballenger assured Maduro, who has been under 
intense political pressure for the GOH's positions on these 
issues, that Honduras' support has been noted in Washington. 
Rep. Ballenger also told Maduro that he would lead an effort 
in the U.S. Congress to win ratification of CAFTA this year. 
Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission, USAID Director, 
HIRC/WHEM staff officer, and PolMilOff also attended the 
meeting.  End Summary. 
 
---- 
Cuba 
---- 
 
2. (C) Rep. Ballenger thanked President Maduro for 
introducing a UNCHR resolution on Cuba, noting that the U.S. 
stands ready to assist the GOH in support of the resolution. 
Maduro acknowledged that the GOH's position on human rights 
in Cuba was unpopular among some "left-leaning" elements in 
Honduran society, but he said it was a principled decision 
based on Honduras' unwavering support for democracy and 
freedom of expression.  Maduro noted, however, that Honduras' 
relationship with Cuba remains delicate.  The presence of 
Cuban doctors in Honduras, Honduran medical students in Cuba, 
the relatively recent restoration of diplomatic relations, 
and the GOH's effort to sign a maritime boundary with the 
Government of Cuba (GOC) all complicate the GOH's efforts to 
take a tough stand on Cuba.  Maduro assured Rep. Ballenger, 
however, that the GOH would not back down on supporting human 
rights and democracy in Cuba. (Note:  After the GOH 
introduced the UNCHR resolution, the GOC announced a 
suspension of the maritime boundary negotiations, which were 
reportedly near completion.  End Note) 
 
3. (C) Ambassador informed Maduro that Embassy information 
indicates the GOC intends to launch a smear campaign against 
the GOH's UNCHR resolution, to include personal attacks 
against Maduro.  Maduro stated that he remains deeply 
concerned/suspicious about Cuba's presence in Honduras and 
the GOC's agenda here.  He reiterated that restoring 
diplomatic relations with Cuba was a "gift" inherited from 
his predecessor, and not to his liking.  He also indicated 
that he would seek to limit the number of Cuban doctors in 
Honduras in the future.  Maduro did acknowledge that the GOH 
could have prepared better for the public relations and 
political campaign necessary to win the Honduran public's 
support for the resolution.  In response to an inquiry from 
Maduro, Ambassador indicated the U.S. is prepared to provide 
speakers and other assistance, if requested, in support of 
the GOH's stand on human rights in Cuba. 
 
---- 
Iraq 
---- 
 
4. (C) Rep. Ballenger thanked Maduro for the GOH's commitment 
to OIF and strong support of the Coalition's goals, in spite 
of continued violence in Iraq.  Rep. Ballenger told Maduro 
the U.S. recognizes the difficulties Maduro faces in 
sustaining Task Force Xatruch in Iraq and that we are 
grateful for Honduras' support.  Maduro again reiterated that 
Honduras' presence in Iraq is based on principle, apart from 
supporting its most important ally.  Maduro did not, however, 
respond directly to Rep. Ballenger when the Chairman noted 
that the GOH has stated that it will recall its troops from 
Iraq at the end of its one-year commitment this July. 
(Comment: Per ref A, Embassy believes the GOH remains open to 
continuing a Honduran presence in Iraq, although it may 
require a concerted U.S. effort to convince Maduro and his 
party's congressional leadership to keep Honduran troops 
there.  Minister of Defense Federico Breve, who has been a 
key supporter of the deployment, has been somewhat jolted by 
the recent violence in Najaf where the Honduran task force is 
stationed.  He, and other National Party members, fear 
potential Honduran casualties and the negative political 
repercussions that would certainly follow.  Nonetheless, 
Maduro's oft-repeated comments about supporting OIF as a 
matter of principle help keep alive the possibility of 
extending Honduras' presence.  End Comment.) 
 
----- 
CAFTA 
----- 
 
5. (SBU) Rep. Ballenger told Maduro that he stands ready to 
push for CAFTA ratification in the U.S. Congress, while also 
commending the GOH for moving ahead with the agreement.  He 
indicated that if Honduras and the other Central American 
participants were able to pass CAFTA in their respective 
legislatures, it would make it easier for him to push for 
passage of the agreement in Congress in November.  Maduro 
thanked Ballenger for his support and stated that he is 
"positive" that the Honduran National Congress will pass 
CAFTA.  Maduro said that the Central American participants 
will probably introduce CAFTA legislation in their 
legislatures on the same day in a display of Central American 
solidarity.  He also offered to travel to Washington with the 
other Central American presidents to lobby for CAFTA support. 
 
 
----------------- 
Narcotrafficking 
----------------- 
 
6. (C) Rep. Ballenger congratulated Honduras for its recent 
successes in interdicting illicit narcotics en route to U.S. 
markets (ref B).  Maduro stated that combating drug 
trafficking remains one of the region's top priorities. 
Maduro once more raised his concern over narco-corruption in 
the Honduran political and economic system, commenting that 
Honduran political and economic institutions remain 
relatively weak and vulnerable.  He also referred to the 
existing "no shoot-down" policies for intruding 
drug-trafficking aircraft.  Maduro claimed that Honduras' 
current policy of making contact with intruding aircraft and 
then "handing" them off to neighbors was both 
counterintuitive and not cost effective.  Rep. Ballenger 
acknowledged the limitations placed on Honduras by U.S. 
information sharing policy and told Maduro he would look for 
ways to further assist the GOH financially for their efforts. 
 
----------------------------------- 
Economic and Development Assistance 
----------------------------------- 
 
7. (SBU) Rep. Ballenger told Maduro that the U.S. will be 
rejoining the International Coffee Organization (ICO) and 
noted that he hopes for a stabilization of world coffee 
prices that will deliver a "fair" price for quality coffee 
producers.  Rep. Ballenger raised the prospect that Honduras 
could possibly qualify for the first round of aid recipients 
under the new Millennium Challenge Account.  Maduro said he 
hoped Honduras would be among the first recipients and that 
the aid would be very useful in his efforts to sustain 
economic growth, reduce poverty, and lower chronic 
unemployment.   Rep. Ballenger also informed Maduro of his 
assistance with building schools in rural northern Honduras 
and in donating used school equipment to needy Honduran 
communities. 
PALMER