US embassy cable - 05TEGUCIGALPA2430

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002430 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CEN, WHA/PDA - M. CONNERS, IRM/BPC - T. 
Niblock 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AINF, AINT, AMGT, CMGT, OIIP, KRIM, KGIT, APER, PREL, AFSI, KWWW, KPAO, AADP, HO 
SUBJECT:  VIRTUAL CONSULATE SAN PEDRO SULA 
 
REF: 04 State 203909 
 
1.  Per the reference and in accordance with 2 FAM 131, 
Post has initiated planning efforts to establish a Virtual 
Presence Post, to be called United States Virtual 
Consulate San Pedro Sula (VC SPS).  It is anticipated that 
in February 2006, the Chief of Mission will formally 
launch VC SPS as part of a larger Embassy on the Road 
event.  Four to eight weeks later, the website 
(sanpedrosula.usvpp.gov) should be operational. 
 
2.  The primary goal of VC SPS is to broaden and deepen 
the engagement of the United States in the city of San 
Pedro Sula and the Department of Cortes.  This will be 
accomplished through a creative mix of traditional 
diplomacy (i.e., regular visits, media outreach, & 
assistance programs) and new diplomacy techniques (a 
branded Website, a VC SPS City Team, digital video 
conferencing, chat sessions, etc.) to develop improved 
contacts and relationships with the target audiences in 
San Pedro Sula. 
 
3.  San Pedro Sula is the second largest city in Honduras 
and the business capital.  Furthermore, CAFTA will likely 
enhance the relative importance of the city both within 
the country and to the United States.  These facts make 
San Pedro Sula evermore relevant to the Mission and make 
it an imperative that we engage more effectively with non- 
traditional and target audiences. 
 
4.  Point of Contact is Bernt Johnson by email at 
johnsonbb@state.gov or by phone at IVG 539-4937, 011-504- 
2136-9320, ext. 4937. 
 
Ford