OFFER OF ASSISTANCE TO COMBAT ILLICIT ARMS

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