SECURITY ENVIRONMENT PROFILE QUESTIONNAIRE (SEPQ)

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 002934 SIPDIS NOFORN STATE FOR DS/DSS/ITA DS/OP/WHA FROM EAC E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2012 TAGS: ASEC HO PTER SUBJECT: SECURITY ENVIRONMENT PROFILE QUESTIONNAIRE (SEPQ) REF: A. 02 SECSTATE 151188 ¶B. 02 TEGUCIGALPA 00989 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Roger Pierce, Reason 1.5 (C) and (D). ¶1. (U) The following responses are keyed to the Security Environment Profile Questionnaire contained in REFTEL. POLITICAL VIOLENCE ¶2. (SBU) Demonstrations: Responses keyed to REFTEL question paragraphs. (1-A.) Yes. Indigenous groups such as the civic council of popular indigenous organizations (COPIN) and Council of Peasant Organizations of Honduras (COCOCH) have carried out anti-American demonstrations against U.S. foreign policy initiatives and military presence. Additionally there is a Mosque in San Pedro Sula (approximately 3 1/2 hours North of Tegucigalpa). There is a large concentration of persons of Arab decent (although most Honduran Arabs are Christian and pro-American) in San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba (a town along the North Coast). It was reported that after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon there were small celebrations in each city (NFI). (1-B.) No. (1-C.) N/A. (1-D.) Usually less than 100 people. In April of 1998 an estimated 220 protesters from COCOCH demonstrated in front of the Embassy compound. (1-E.) Yes. Demonstrations are triggered by U.S. foreign policy initiatives, past perceived human rights violations, military action, and the U.S. presence in Honduras (i.e., U.S. Military presence at Soto Cano Air Base). Note: Most Anti-US activity is inspired by a handful of demonstrators, sometimes within larger demos passing by the Embassy in route to other venues that take the opportunity to be photographed by newspapers/media. Demonstrators sometimes conduct protests on domestic issues in front of the Embassy to maximize local news coverage. (1-F.) Peaceful. (1-G.) N/A. (1-H.) NO. (1-I.) Yes. (1-J.) Yes. Occasionally they will pass by the Embassy compound. (1-K.) The size varies from a few hundred to a few thousand people. (1-L.) Peaceful. (1-M.) N/A. ¶3. (SBU) Macro Conflict Conditions: Responses to paragraph ¶2. (2-A.) NO. (2-B.) N/A. ;(2-C.) N/A. (2-D.) N/A. ¶4. (SBU) Host Country Capabilities: Responses to Paragraph ¶3. (3-A.) No. (3-B.) Yes. (See 3-J) (3-C.) Yes. (3-D.) No. However, GOH intelligence units have an institutional awareness of and a modest capability of penetrating indigenous radical groups. (3-E.) Yes. (3-F.) No. (3-G.) Yes. (3-H.) Average. (3-I.) Average/Ineffective. (3-J.) Ineffective. A new unit within the Ministry of Security has been established,(and received training from USG via US border patrol BORTAC TDY Trainers funded by ICITAP),to handle border patrol duties but has yet to come fully on-line. ¶5. (SBU) Indigenous Terrorism-Anti American Terrorist Groups: Responses to paragraph 4. (4-A.) No. (4-B.) N/A. (4-C.) N/A. (4-D.) N/A. (4-E.) N/A. (4-F.) N/A. (4-G.) N/A. (4-H.) N/A. ¶6. (SBU) Other Indigenous Terrorist Groups: Responses to paragraph 5. (5-A.) No. (5-B.) N/A. (5-C.) N/A. (5-D.) N/A. (5-E.) N/A. ¶7. (S/NF) Transnational Terrorism-Transnational Terrorist Indicators: Responses to paragraph 6. (6-A.) No. However, there are rumors that there are Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA),IRA, and Chiapas(Zapatistas) sympathizers in Honduras who could be involved in advising indigenous groups. Some Hondurans are studying in Cuba and also conceivably could be receiving training in subversion and terrorism, although it is more likely they are being indoctrinated as agents of influence. As this Cuban program for Hondurans is in its infancy, there have been no indications that such training is taking place. (6-B.) N/A. (6-C.) N/A. (6-D.) N/A and NO; however, there was one sensitive report that 1-2 individuals, formerly from a European group may have been hiding in Honduras and possibly working with unwitting individuals. They reportedly have departed the country, NFI. (6-E.) N/A. (6-F.) The only known hostile intelligence presence of note is Cuban. While the Cuban mission appears to have extensive contacts with leftists and indigenous groups, there is no indication they are planning or supporting terrorism. (6-G.) There is no shortage of weapons in Honduras. It would also not be difficult for hostile terrorist elements to import weapons and/or explosives from neighboring countries. PALMER