US embassy cable - 04TEGUCIGALPA893

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Identifier:	04TEGUCIGALPA893
Wikileaks:	View 04TEGUCIGALPA893 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Tegucigalpa
Created:	2004-04-16 23:56:00
Classification:	SECRET
Tags:	PREL MOPS MARR IZ HO
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

S E C R E T TEGUCIGALPA 000893 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA, WHA/PPC, AND WHA/CEN 
STATE FOR PM, PM/RSAT, AND PM/PMAT 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/15/2014 
TAGS: PREL, MOPS, MARR, IZ, HO 
SUBJECT: HONDURAS TO WITHDRAW IMMEDIATELY TROOPS FROM IRAQ 
 
REF: CJCS-CHOD APRIL 16 2004 LETTER 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Francisco Palmieri; 
reasons 1.4 (a), (b), and (d). 
 
1. (S) Minister of the Presidency Luis Cosenza called the 
Ambassador at 1700 on April 16 to advise him that he will 
travel to Washington on Sunday, April 18 to meet with 
Department of State officials on Monday, April 19, to inform 
the U.S. that Honduras has decided to withdraw immediately 
its troops from Iraq.  He said that the security situation in 
An Najaf and isolation of their troops forced this difficult 
decision upon the Government of Honduras.  The GOH is 
concerned about the safety of its troops.  Reftel request for 
coalition partners to reconsider their rules of engagement 
also forced the GOH into a difficult position because the 
congressional authorization for the deployment of the troops 
did not cover combat operations.  It only authorized Honduran 
troops to participate in and provide security for 
humanitarian and reconstruction activities. 
 
2. (C) Comment: Cosenza was apologetic but decisive in 
relaying this news.  He indicated that the GOH wants to 
explain its decision to U.S. officials before making its 
decision public.  End Comment. 
 
3. (U) Minimize considered. 
PALMER