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