THOUSANDS OF ILLEGAL ARMS STILL UNCOUNTED FOR IN

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002545

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CEN, INL/LP, PM, DRL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PTER MOPS SNAR KJUS PHUM PINR HO KCUM
SUBJECT: THOUSANDS OF ILLEGAL ARMS STILL UNCOUNTED FOR IN
HONDURAS

REF: TEGUCIGALPA 1740


1. It is estimated that around 10,000 AK-47's, remnants of
the region's civil wars in the 1980's, remain on the streets
of Honduras. A recent legislative decree offered USD 57 for
each gun deemed "illegal", but the 90-day grace period for
voluntarily turning in these weapons has now expired. During
this period, approximately 1,300 weapons were turned over to
various police stations throughout the country.


2. Minister of Public Security Oscar Alvarez stated that the
GOH is well aware of the threat these weapons pose for
Honduran security, and the danger that they could be bartered
for drugs with Colombian narcoterrorist groups. As such,
Alvarez announced planned operations to raid and arrest those
who possess these weapons. The penalty for possession of an
illegal weapon will be 8 to 10 years in prison and a fine of
USD 285 to 570 for each weapon. The Minister also announced
that this law will be enforced equally, regardless of factors
such as socioeconomic standing or political affiliation.


3. As stated in reftel, the following arms are prohibited by
the GOH: all types of AK-47's; Livian and other heavy
automatic weapons with a caliber of 7.62 x 55mm; all types of
Uzi machine guns; all types of M-16's; M-60 machine guns;
guns used by snipers with a caliber of 5.56 mm; Galil's;
G-3's; all types of Berettas 5.56; and M-21's used by snipers.
Palmer