REQUEST INVITATION FOR HONDURAN MINISTER OF PUBLIC

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002293

SIPDIS

DHS FOR A/S FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS ARCOS
DEPT. FOR INL AND WHA/CEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OVIP PREL SNAR PTER PHUM SMIG HO
SUBJECT: REQUEST INVITATION FOR HONDURAN MINISTER OF PUBLIC
SECURITY ALVAREZ TO MEET WITH DHS SECRETARY RIDGE

Ref: Arcos-Palmieri/Parks-Banda emails (various)


1. This is an action request. Please see para. 5.



2. During a recent visit to Honduras, prior to assuming
office, DHS Assistant Secretary for International Affairs,
Cresencio Arcos was very favorably impressed by the counter
terrorism and anti-alien smuggling efforts being undertaken
by Honduran law enforcement authorities. Post believes it
would be very beneficial to United States national security
interests in this region to highlight contributions of one
of our Central American partners to the war on terrorism.
Given the deployment of Honduran troops in Iraq in support
of coalition efforts to rebuild that country and the
excellent level of bilateral cooperation with the Honduran
government, we request that Honduran Minister of Public
Security, Oscar Arturo Alvarez, visit Washington, DC, from
October 21-25 to meet with DHS Secretary Ridge and other DHS
and State officials to discuss programs and review counter
terrorism efforts in Honduras.



3. Per ref e-mails, Post asks DHS assistance in arranging
meetings with Assistant Secretary Arcos, Commissioner Bonner
of Border Patrol, Chief of U.S. Border Patrol Gustavo De La
Vina, and others regarding law enforcement issues in
Honduras and to discuss successful joint operations as well
as future joint participation in the





areas of port security, illegal arms transfers, alien
smuggling, trafficking in persons, counter terrorism as well
as counter narcotics operations. Post will arrange meetings
with State Department offices separately.


4. Post is prepared to cover cost of travel for the
Minister, including airfare, lodging and per diem. Per ref
e-mails, we understand that DHS recommends an Embassy escort
accompany the Minister. The process for Minister of
Security Alvarez to request official permission to travel
from the government requires some lead time.


5. Action request: Post respectfully requests that a formal
DHS invitation for Honduran Minister of Public Security
Alvarez to meet with DHS Secretary Ridge be extended no
later than October 5.

PALMER