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