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withdrawn entirely from any counter-drug participation during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