US embassy cable - 04TEGUCIGALPA1577

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 TEGUCIGALPA 001577 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR WHA/CEN AND WHA/PPC 
FOR EB/CBA AND EB/TRA 
FOR INL/LP AND S/CT 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EWWT, EINV, ETRD, PBTS, SNAR, PTER, BEXP, ECON, PGOV, HO 
SUBJECT: Honduras Poised to Become Leader in Port Security 
 
Ref: Tegucigalpa 404 
 
1. SUMMARY: Following a June visit to the ports of Honduras, 
a United States Coast Guard delegation confirmed that 
Honduras was taking the appropriate measures to ready its 
ports for certification on July 1, and to successfully 
comply with International Maritime Organization (IMO) 
requirements and the Maritime Transportation Security Act 
(MTSA).  The team visited Puerto Castilla, Puerto Cortes, a 
cruise ship dock in Roatan, and the port of San Lorenzo, 
leaving only the national port of La Ceiba uninspected by 
the Coast Guard.  Visits to the four international Honduran 
ports revealed that, despite some minor shortcomings, 
Honduras has made progress in improving port security worthy 
of regional emulation.  Upon conclusion of the port 
inspections, the Coast Guard delegation commended the 
Honduran authorities for their efforts to revamp port 
security, stating that when other countries doubt their 
ability to effect such rapid improvement in port security 
measures, the Coast Guard will highlight Honduras as an 
example of success.  On July 1, the National Commission for 
Port Protection successfully certified all four of the ports 
visited by the U.S. Coast Guard.  END SUMMARY 
 
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Introduction 
------------ 
 
2.  In May, the Government of Honduras (GOH), in 
collaboration with its newly established National Commission 
for Port Protection (CNPP), extended an invitation to the 
United States Coast Guard (USCG) to inspect ports within 
Honduran territory.  In response, on June 14, 2004 a ten- 
person delegation from the U.S. Coast Guard traveled to 
Honduras to inspect a series of ports on the Atlantic and 
Pacific coasts, as well as a cruise ship dock in the Bay 
Islands.  Honduras was the first country in the Western 
Hemisphere to voluntarily have their ports visited and 
evaluated by the U.S. Coast Guard. 
 
3.  The purpose of the inspection was to evaluate the 
implementation of new measures of protection established in 
the International Shipping and Port Facility Security (ISPS) 
Code set forth by the International Maritime Organization 
(IMO).  In addition, the USCG sought to conduct a mutually 
beneficial exchange of information and ideas with the GOH in 
order to identify successful practices, which could improve 
maritime security and counteract global terrorism.  Honduran 
ports had been working intensely to meet the IMO 
certification deadline of June 30 (Ref). 
 
4.  The delegation representing the U.S. Coast Guard, led by 
Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Lo Sciuto, included Lt. Cmdr. Oziel Vela, 
Mr. Michael Brown, Lt. Jeff Wasserman, Lt. Galia Kaplan, Mr. 
Peyton Coleman, Mr. Jeff Hoagland, and Ens. Nicolas 
Oliverie, with Mr. Nick Lakis from Transportation Security 
Administration and Ms. Dixie Faries from Customs and Border 
Protection.  The facilities subject to inspection were 
Puerto Castilla near Trujillo, Puerto Cortes north of San 
Pedro Sula, the cruise ship dock of Roatan, and the port of 
San Lorenzo. 
 
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Background on the National Commission of Port Protection 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
 
5.  In April, President Maduro approved the creation of the 
National Commission for Port Protection (CNPP), a Honduran 
governmental organization that acts as the principal 
authority on port security matters at the national level. 
The commission was granted full authority to certify all 
Honduran ports in agreement under the IMO's ISPS code. 
Certification of the vessels in the Honduran national ship 
registry is the responsibility of the General Direction of 
the Merchant Marine in accordance with the ISPS Code, which 
includes evaluations, elaboration of protection plans, and 
certification.  The GOH was aware that without 
certification, international maritime trade between Honduras 
and the U.S. would be jeopardized, as vessels originating 
from Honduras would, at a minimum, experience significant 
difficulties docking in the United States, and possibly be 
refused entry into U.S. waters and ports. 
 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
Introductory Meeting at the Presidential Palace 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
6.  Prior to the first Coast Guard inspection, the 
delegation met at the Presidential Palace with the GOH's 
high-level port security inspection team.  Those present 
included Minister of Trade and Industry Norman Garcia, 
Minister of Defense Federico Breve, Minister of Public Works 
and Transportation Jorge Carranza, Minister of Public 
Security Oscar Alvarez, Port Security Officer Dennis 
Chinchilla, Merchant Marine Chief Marco Augusto Hernandez, 
and Presidential Adviser Mauro Membreno. 
 
7.  Mr. Chinchilla gave the Coast Guard delegation a well- 
organized presentation outlining the background information 
and recent progress of each of the ports to be inspected. 
The presentation highlighted Honduras's favorable maritime 
location and demonstrated that the GOH established port 
security parameters consistent with ISPS and MTSA code.  He 
informed the USCG that as of the meeting, port assessments 
had been approved, with the audit timetable scheduled to be 
turned in the week of June 22.  Mr. Chinchilla reaffirmed 
the government's commitment to complete the certification 
process by June 30.  The presentation was followed by a 
question-and-answer period between the Honduran 
representatives and the Coast Guard delegation.  Lt. Cmdr. 
Joseph Lo Sciuto ably led the discussion and served as 
spokesperson on behalf of the Coast Guard throughout the 
meeting. 
 
------------------------ 
Visit to Puerto Castilla 
------------------------ 
 
8.  The Coast Guard visit got off to a very positive start 
with the inspection of Puerto Castilla (Standard Fruit/Dole 
facility).  The delegation praised the strict entry and exit 
procedures encountered on arrival.  Upon entrance, all 
occupants were required to exit from the vehicles for a 
thorough search at both the original entry point and the 
internal entrance to the facilities.  Employees all wore 
visible photo identification badges and were checked with 
metal detectors upon entrance and exit for every shift. 
 
---------------------- 
Visit to Puerto Cortes 
---------------------- 
 
9.  Puerto Cortes is the most important maritime customs 
facility in Honduras.  The port is the largest port on the 
Caribbean side of Central America.  Because Guatemalan ports 
can only dock up to four ships while Puerto Cortes can dock 
up to ten, use of the Honduran port is preferable and more 
efficient for sea freight shipping to the United States.  In 
2003, Puerto Cortes handled 7.6 million metric tons of 
cargo, or 577,000 containers. 
 
10.  At Puerto Cortes, the Coast Guard delegation 
acknowledged the effective security measures already in 
place, noting that the port sets a good example for other 
facilities.  They expressed some concern over the height of 
port lighting and the need to complete implementation of 
some entry/exit control points.  The team fully reviewed the 
port's security plan and found that it met the ISPS 
standards.  They suggested that the port authority could 
improve the plan by implementing and testing it, and 
ensuring full coordination with local municipal authorities. 
The GOH scheduled preliminary testing the week of June 22, 
after the USCG team departed, during which the CNPP 
conducted audits in order to verify compliance with the 
requirements of the ISPS code.  At this time, the CNPP found 
that minimum requirements were met.  In the future, the CNPP 
will conduct planned testing annually, in addition to 
unplanned testing periodically, to verify that the port 
stays in compliance with the code. 
 
--------------------------------------- 
Visit to the Cruise Ship Dock in Roatan 
--------------------------------------- 
 
11.  At the cruise ship dock in Roatan, the Coast Guard 
delegation found the security measures to be still under 
development.  They had temporary, rather than permanent, 
guards in place.  The team noted that the guards needed 
better training on the inner perimeter.  Improvements were 
also needed on the outer perimeter wall, especially by the 
main building.  Although the GOH had begun to implement a 
photo identification badge system, police were not checking 
tourists reentering for the cruise ships.  An Embassy 
Military Group officer noted that a local band playing 
beside a cruise ship entered with drums that had not been 
inspected and could pose a potential hazard.  The GOH 
officials said they would look into installing x-ray 
equipment for better checks in the future.  In addition, 
individual shipping facilities on the island were at varying 
stages of readiness.  Some have plans drawn up that would 
exceed minimum requirements while others do not appear to 
have begun preparation.  The CNPP told the team that none of 
those facilities would be certified until they come into 
compliance with ISPS code. 
 
---------------------------- 
Visit to Port of San Lorenzo 
---------------------------- 
 
12.  The Coast Guard delegation's final inspection took 
place at the port of San Lorenzo, located on the Pacific 
Coast in the Gulf of Fonseca.  Overall, the delegation 
approved of the measures in place.  The port had two 
entrances, both guarded by national police.  The group 
received clearance to enter at the external entrance and was 
escorted by a police officer to the internal entrance.  At 
the internal entrance, all occupants were required to exit 
the vehicle for inspection, which was the same procedure 
implemented for vehicles departing.  All port employees wore 
photo identification badges and visitors, including the 
delegation, were required to trade photo identification for 
visitor badges.  As previously noted, an identical procedure 
is used at Puerto Cortes and Puerto Castilla. 
 
13.  Upon inspection of the facility, the delegation made 
some suggestions for improvement.  For example, some foliage 
and containers lined the inside perimeter of the fence, 
revealing locations where outsiders may be able to climb 
over the fence and gain access to the port.  The Coast Guard 
extensively reviewed the security measures already in place. 
They were satisfied with the cooperation between the naval 
and police forces.  The delegation also verified that should 
the threat level rise, those in charge at the port would be 
able to take the necessary measures to provide sufficient 
security. 
 
------------------- 
Embassy Outbriefing 
------------------- 
 
14.  Upon completion of the port inspections, the Coast 
Guard delegation met with Embassy representatives and 
Ambassador Palmer to review the visit.  Lt. Cmdr. Lo Sciuto 
began by noting that the ISPS code has a baseline, and 
Honduras had set their standards above that baseline.  The 
delegation was impressed with the progress of the ports and 
their efforts to meet their self-implemented high standards. 
They were especially impressed with Puerto Castilla (the 
Dole fruit company facility), observing that it was very 
efficient and one of the best ports they visited.  The 
delegation found the security in place to be consistent with 
ISPS code standards, suggesting that temporarily increasing 
security when vessels come in would be sufficient. 
 
15.  Regarding future plans, Lt. Cmdr. Lo Sciuto stated that 
the full team would re-inspect the ports in three years; but 
prior to this visit, someone from the USCG would be back to 
inspect when the Honduran port authorities feel they have 
fully implemented all their security upgrades.  In the 
meantime, the Embassy plans to conduct unannounced visits to 
the ports throughout the summer to verify that the ports are 
not falling out of compliance. 
 
--------------------------------------------- 
Concluding Meeting at the Presidential Palace 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
16.  The Coast Guard delegation reconvened at the 
Presidential Palace for a final meeting with Honduran 
representatives.  Those present on behalf of the United 
States included the entire Coast Guard delegation and 
representatives from the Embassy.  Those representing the 
Honduran government included Minister of Trade and Industry 
Norman Garcia, Minister of Defense Federico Breve, Minister 
of Public Works and Transportation Jorge Carranza, Port 
Security Officer Dennis Chinchilla, Merchant Marine Chief 
Marco Augusto Hernandez, and Presidential Adviser Mauro 
Membreno. 
 
17.  Lt. Cmdr. Lo Sciuto began by reading a statement to the 
panel.  His statement highlighted Honduras's significant 
progress with port security.  He commented that Honduras was 
doing a great job implementing the requirements set forth in 
the ISPS code, but must keep progressing in order to 
establish themselves as the lead example in the region.  He 
clarified that the U.S. Coast Guard was not in Honduras to 
certify the ports, but rather to assess the implementation 
of the GOH's port security regime. 
 
18.  The GOH asked for future interaction between Honduras 
and the U.S. Coast Guard, and indicated an interest in 
testing its ability and decision-making process for 
elevating the ports' alert levels.  The USCG reassured the 
Ministers that they would maintain a partnership with 
Honduras, extending them an open invitation to visit and 
observe the port security process in place in the United 
States.  Ms. Dixie Faries, the U.S. Customs representative, 
stated that U.S. Customs intended to provide training and 
assistance to Honduras. 
 
19.  Lt. Cmdr. Lo Sciuto emphasized the importance of 
following through with their recommendations in order not to 
fall out of compliance with the code.  He made some 
specific, well-received recommendations to improve port 
security in Honduras even further.  The first suggestion 
involved increased interaction between the port authorities 
and the Frontier Police, either in a partnership or 
oversight capacity.  An additional suggestion concerned the 
lighting at Puerto Cortes, where the light towers currently 
in place are 55 feet tall, rather than the required 80 feet 
tall.  In conclusion, he stated that should Honduras 
continue along the same path, they would serve as a model 
for port security in the region. 
 
----------------------------------- 
Media Response to Coast Guard Visit 
----------------------------------- 
 
20.  Initially, the media misinterpreted the role of the 
U.S. Coast Guard visit to inspect the Honduran ports, 
thinking that the Coast Guard was responsible for 
certification of the ports.  The content of the initial 
reporting was otherwise accurate and objective.  After the 
final meeting at the Presidential Palace, an Embassy 
spokesperson, on behalf of the Coast Guard, read a statement 
in Spanish to the press noting Honduras's progress with port 
security.  In response to questions, he clarified that the 
Coast Guard was not in charge of certifying the ports; 
rather, that was the responsibility of the CNPP.  Media 
coverage following the Coast Guard visit was positive and 
optimistic, reflecting well upon the Honduran government and 
port security measures in place and under development. 
 
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Comment 
------- 
 
21.  The U.S. Coast Guard visit proved successful and 
beneficial to Honduran and U.S. representatives, reaffirming 
once again that the relationship between Honduras and the 
U.S. is one of cooperation and collaboration.  GOH Ministers 
were extremely pleased with the Coast Guard's findings, 
voicing their intent to take into consideration all 
suggestions.  On July 1, the CNPP successfully certified all 
four of the ports visited by the U.S. Coast Guard.  The 
fifth remaining port in La Ceiba will likely be certified in 
the near future.  End comment. 
 
Palmer