US embassy cable - 02TEGUCIGALPA2975

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 002975 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR PM/PPA, PM/PPA--PLEASE PASS DTRA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2012 
TAGS: PARM, PREL, MASS, MARR, HO 
SUBJECT: OFFER OF ASSISTANCE TO COMBAT ILLICIT ARMS 
TRAFFICKING DEMARCHE DELIVERED 
 
REF: SECSTATE 178513 
 
Classified By: Political Chief Francisco Palmieri; 
Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (U)  SUMMARY: On October 17, 2002, PolOffs met with the 
Honduran Minister of Defense Federico Breve Travieso (MOD), 
and again delivered reftel talking points.  The MOD expressed 
great interest in the offer to provide training and technical 
assistance to combat illicit arms trafficking in Honduras. 
The MOD acknowledged that there is a problem in Honduras and 
emphasized his interest in improving security, related 
communications systems and administrative control of arms 
stockpiles.  He pledged to consider the offer and advise Post 
of the GOH's intentions in the near future.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (U)  On October 17, 2002, PolOffs met with MOD Federico 
Breve and presented the talking points in reftel.  We had 
shared earlier the demarche with the MFA.  The MOD expressed 
great interest in the offer to provide training and technical 
assistance to combat arms trafficking in Honduras.  He 
referred to the offer as "excellent," acknowledging that 
Honduras has had problems properly controlling the arms cache 
located in Naco. 
 
3. (C)  The MOD underscored Honduras' need for better 
security of the Naco stockpile, and expressed his view that 
the Honduran Armed Forces (HOAF) needs to improve its 
internal communications systems as well as administrative 
controls.  Additionally, the MOD pointed out that the Naco 
cache is the subject of litigation both in Honduras and 
Miami, and that, therefore, destruction of the arms is not 
currently an option.  However, he did acknowledge that the 
type of training and assistance offered by the U.S. 
government would benefit the GOH.  (NOTE:  Despite the 
ongoing litigation, the HOAF are responsible for the security 
of the Naco cache.  END NOTE.) 
 
4. (U)  MOD Breve could not provide an immediate and definite 
response to the offer, but indicated that the GOH and HOAF 
would be very interested in the proposed training and 
technical assistance.  Post will follow up this week for a 
formal MOD invitation so that Washington action agencies can 
begin preparation to provide the training. 
PIERCE