58TH UNGA: HONDURAN FM SEEKING APPOINTMENT WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 001644

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DEPT. FOR IO/UNP (NARANJO) AND IO/PPC (HUGHES)
DEPT. FOR WHA/PPC (LOKKA) AND WHA/CEN
USUN FOR ZAID
NSC FOR DICARLO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2013
TAGS: PREL AORC PHUM HO UNGA UN
SUBJECT: 58TH UNGA: HONDURAN FM SEEKING APPOINTMENT WITH
SECRETARY

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REF: A. STATE 184648

B. STATE 175664

Classified By: Political Chief Francisco Palmieri;
Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (SBU) On June 27, PolChief discussed the Government of
Honduras' (GOH) participation in the 58th United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA) and U.S. UNGA policy priorities with
Honduran Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Anibal Quinones
(reftels). Quinones indicated that Honduras looked forward
to working closely with the U.S. government at the UNGA,
especially on Iraq-related issues, cloning, and budget
reform. Honduras is slated to receive more than USD 40
million from the UN HIV/AIDS Global Fund, which makes it the
largest recipient in Central America. Honduras is also slated
to be the UNGA Vice President of the Second Committee, where
we expect to work closely with them on Second Committee
reform and overall UN budget reform.


2. (C) While VM Quinones could only confirm the attendance
of Foreign Minister Perez-Cadalso at this time, he asked if
it would be possible to arrange a brief meeting between
Secretary Powell and FM Perez-Cadalso at the UNGA. He made a

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direct reference to Honduras being a member of the Coalition
of the Willing, its recently approved troop deployment to
Iraq and the ratification of the Article 98 agreement. He
subsequently told the Ambassador in a separate meeting that
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been subject to some
domestic political criticism on both issues and that the
Maduro government would be very vulnerable to opposition
party criticism during their troop's deployment in Iraq.



3. (C) Comment: Post supports this request for a brief
meeting between the Secretary and Foreign Minister. Current
military planning calls for the Honduran troops to be fully
deployed to the field by September 1. In addition to
solidifying Honduran military participation in the
reconstruction of Iraq, a brief meeting with the FM would
also provide an opportunity for the Secretary to highlight
the HIV-AIDS Global Fund's contributions in Latin America and
to engage the Honduran government on the need for it to play
a leading role in drafting a Cuba human rights resolution at
next spring's UNHRC, now that they have won a seat on that
body. The meeting would also send a much-needed and strong
political boost to the Maduro government and the MFA, both of
which have been steadfast in support of key U.S. foreign
policy objectives throughout this year. End Comment.
Palmer