US embassy cable - 04TEGUCIGALPA2719

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 002719 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CCA AND WHA/CEN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2014 
TAGS: ETTC, PREL, CU, HO 
SUBJECT: TEGUCIGALPA RESPONSE TO NSC-DIRECTED REVIEW 
REGARDING WAIVER OF TITLE III OF THE LIBERTAD ACT 
 
REF: STATE 248337 
 
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Roger Pierce; 
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (C) The Government of Honduras (GOH) has actively worked 
to advance democracy, human rights, and fundamental freedoms 
in Cuba.  On April 15, the UN Commission on Human Rights 
(UNCHR) passed a Honduran-sponsored resolution calling for 
greater respect for human rights in Cuba.  The Government of 
Cuba responded to the GOH's action by suspending pending 
maritime boundary negotiations with Honduras, an item which 
was a foreign policy priority of President Ricardo Maduro's 
administration.  Also, while the GOH does have formal 
diplomatic relations with Cuba, Honduras has not named an 
Ambassador to Cuba, partly out of deference to U.S. wishes. 
The GOH consistently and publicly states that concern over 
Cuba's human rights policies is a fundamental tenet of its 
policy toward the Castro regime.  PolCouns met with the new 
Honduran Charge d'Affaires in Havana, Humberto Lopez 
Villamil, prior to his recent departure to Havana to 
emphasize the importance of human rights in Cuba.  Villamil 
welcomed the meeting and indicated he would seek out the U.S. 
Interests Section in Havana. 
 
2. (C) In addition, the GOH has agreed to accept 18 Cubans 
from Guantanamo.  The GOH is doing this despite a possible 
negative reaction from the GOC. 
 
3. (SBU)  Post has no information available on investments 
made in Cuba by Honduran individuals or companies.  The 
Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Central Bank collect 
information on foreign investments made in Honduras, grouped 
by country of origin, but have never collected information on 
Honduran investments abroad.  This year, for the first time, 
the Central Bank has added a question on Honduran investment 
abroad to its annual questionnaire of Honduran companies. 
They hope to compare the data received from this question 
with information that other governments provide on Honduran 
foreign investment in their countries.  In the future, 
therefore, this information should become available. 
 
4. (C) If the Title III waiver were not renewed for Honduras, 
it could undermine clear GOH support for pressuring Cuba to 
improve its human rights record, undermine general GOH 
support for U.S. Cuba policy, and unnecessarily punish a 
supportive regional ally. 
Palmer