US embassy cable - 05TEGUCIGALPA1691

S E C R E T TEGUCIGALPA 001691 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA, WHA/CEN, EAP/TC, AND EAP/CM 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/12/2030 
TAGS: PREL, ECON, ETRD, ETTC, PHUM, TW, CH, HO 
SUBJECT: CURRENT DIALOGUE WITH TAIWANESE REPS IN HONDURAS 
LIMITED BUT COULD BE EXPANDED TO COVER PRC ACTIVITIES 
 
REF: STATE 143649 
 
Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Paul Tuebner; 
Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d) 
 
1. (S) In response to reftel, here are Post's answers: 
- The Embassy currently has mainly limited contact with 
Taiwanese representatives, usually friendly interaction at 
events where the diplomatic corps is invited to attend. 
Taiwanese Ambassador You Tien-der is a regular attendee of 
these events.  Post notes Taiwan is a generous donor to 
Honduras.  The Taiwanese Defense Attache is active in the 
Defense Attache Association in Honduras, as is the DATT. 
- Given the limited nature of the current dialogue, Post is 
unsure to what extent a dialogue could be established on PRC 
activities in Honduras. 
- Post believes establishing a dialogue with Taiwanese 
representatives on Chinese activities, if successful, might 
prove worthwhile.  Post notes that seeking such a dialogue 
would likely send a signal to the Taiwanese, especially with 
the recent ratification of CAFTA and the explicit linkages of 
CAFTA to the perceived "China threat" to Honduran exports in 
light manufacturing, especially textiles/apparel. 
Williard