OFFICIAL INFORMAL - RESUMPTION OF AIR-TRACKING

S E C R E T TEGUCIGALPA 001499 SIPDIS OFFICIAL INFORMAL FOR GENERAL HILL AND WHA/FISK FROM AMBASSADOR PALMER E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2013 TAGS: AMGT HO SUBJECT: OFFICIAL INFORMAL - RESUMPTION OF AIR-TRACKING INFORMATION SHARING WITH THE GOH REF: A. STATE 144757 ¶B. USDAO TEGUCIGALPA 052246Z JUN 03 Classified By: Ambassador Larry L. Palmer; Reasons 1.5(b) and (d). ¶1. (S) General Hill: Thank you for your May 29 note in which you requested the April 15 accident investigation report and a review of the substantive actions taken be the Honduran military to prevent a similar occurrence from happening in the future. I will provide you a copy of the official accident report issued by the Honduran Armed Forces (HOAF) to Honduran Minister of Defense Federico Breve, coupled with an informal translation completed by the Embassy. (Note, the date of the report is March 14, rather than April 15, due to an error by the GOH.) Regarding substantive actions taken by the HOAF to prevent a similar incident from reoccurring, the HOAF recently announced a shift from aerial interdiction to a ground interdiction strategy (ref B). While the HOAF could have withdrawn entirely from any counter-drug participation during the suspension of intelligence sharing, this strategy shift demonstrates that they are still engaged, and is a direct result of MOD Breve's new strategic focus to combat drug trafficking while avoiding the pitfalls of shooting down a plane. I believe that a new and unequivocal understanding exists between the HOAF and the senior Honduran civilian leadership which will not permit a future shoot-down incident to occur. The Government of Hondurans and its Armed Forces are ready to move forward in accordance with SOUTHCOM policy on intelligence sharing. I appreciate the opportunity to work with you on this important issue and look forward to the resumption of air-track information sharing with the GOH at the earliest possible opportunity. Sincerely, Larry Palmer Palmer