HONDURAS ANXIOUS TO MOVE EL SALVADOR BORDER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 002757

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA, WHA/CEN, WHA/PPC, AND PM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/24/2013
TAGS: PBTS PREL MOPS ES HO
SUBJECT: HONDURAS ANXIOUS TO MOVE EL SALVADOR BORDER
DEMARCATION PROCESS FORWARD

REF: A. TEGUCIGALPA 2221


B. PALMIERI/WAGNER EMAIL 11/17/03

Classified By: Political Counselor Francisco Palmieri;
reasons 1.5(B) and (D).


1. (C) Summary: As part of the on-going effort to demarcate
the Honduran-El Salvador border, on November 11 OAS envoy,
NIMA specialist John Gates, awarded over one square kilometer
of territory to El Salvador that was originally designated to
Honduras by the 1992 International Court of Justice (ICJ)
decision. Although the decision generated substantial press
interest decrying the loss of national territory, the
Government of Honduras (GOH) is far more concerned with
moving the demarcation process forward as fast as possible.
The GOH remains committed to honoring its international
obligations and continues to view Gates as an honest broker,
although Honduras believes Gates overstepped his bounds in
his latest decision. While the GOH stands ready to implement
Gates' decision, Honduras expects the same from any future
revisions that negatively effect El Salvador. End Summary


2. (C) As part of the on-going effort to demarcate the
Honduran-El Salvador border, on November 11 OAS envoy, NIMA
specialist John Gates, awarded over one square kilometer of
territory to El Salvador that was originally designated to
Honduras by the 1992 International Court of Justice (ICJ)
decision. The territory (Cerro El Pital) is centered around
Cayaguanca, Ocotepeque and is one of the highest points in
the area which is considered strategic by both sides.
According to the GOH, Gates' decision to revise the ICJ's
ruling was based on his feeling that placing the border
marker atop El Pital, rather than another hilltop close by,
made the border more congruous. The GOH, which was quite
surprised by the decision, feels that Gates overstepped his
authority by basing his revision on factors that were outside
the boundaries of mere "technical discrepancies."


3. (C) On November 19 FM Leonidas Rosa Bautista held a press
conference in which he reiterated that the GOH remains
committed to moving forward on the border demarcation
process, even though it felt that Gates' decision was
unsound. Rosa also indicated that the GOH had sent notice to
the OAS stating its displeasure. Honduras will not, however,
formally appeal Gates' assessment. Privately, Rosa told the
Ambassador on November 21 that completing the border
demarcation process was among the top priorities at the MFA.
Rosa stated that completion would eliminate a long standing
irritant and help foster greater regional integration.


4. (C) On November 20, PolOff met with Miguel Tosta Appel,
President of the Honduran Special El Salvador-Honduras Border
Demarcation Commission, to discuss Gates' decision. Appel
confirmed that Honduras will fully abide by its international
commitments and obligation to accept Gates' decisions as
final. However, he reiterated the GOH's concern that Gates
over-stepped. Appel also stressed that the GOH expects El
Salvador to move forthright on continuing to demarcate the
border and expressed faith that El Salvador also would accept
any changes made by Gates in the future that result in
additional territory for Honduras.


5. (C) Appel dismissed comments in the El Salvadoran press
attributed to Coronel Raul Antonio Sandoval, representative
of the Ministry of Defense assigned to the Commission, which
criticized Gates as unrepresentative of the GOH's position.
The press article was based on a memo COL Sandoval sent to
the Commission that was subsequently leaked to the press.
Appel reiterated the GOH's confidence in Gates'
professionalism (ref A) and stated that the GOH was looking
forward to moving ahead with the demarcation process as
planned. Appel went on to say that COL Sandoval "has his own
agenda."


6. (C) Comment: While certainly not pleased with Gates'
decision, the GOH is much more concerned with moving the
process forward as quickly as possible. It is possible the
GOH may jawbone Gates to soften him up on future decisions,
especially if the press continues to cover the story in a
negative fashion. However, according to the GOH, if El
Salvador drags its feet in placing any of the other upcoming
markers that Gates designates, especially if those markers
result in additional territory for Honduras, or El Salvador
formally objects to a Gates decision, great harm could come
to the entire process. Post believes that Honduras will react
vigorously to any perceived Salvadoran delay on future
demarcations. End Comment

Palmer