HONDURAS REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO OPERATION IRAQI

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 002846 SIPDIS STATE FOR PM, WHA/CEN AND WHA/PPC E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2013 TAGS: MOPS MARR PREL PGOV ASEC IZ HO SUBJECT: HONDURAS REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM DESPITE RECENT MORTAR ATTACKS REF: CUMMINS-KELLY EMAIL 12/3/03 Classified By: Ambassador Larry L. Palmer; Reasons 1.5 (A),(B) and (D). ¶1. (C) During the early morning of December 3, the Honduran contingent in Iraq (Task Force Xatruch) was attacked by four mortar shells. No injuries or damage was reported. Initial reports indicated that all four shells impacted outside the Honduran compound (Ref A),although MOD Federico Breve later told MILGRP Commander that two shells apparently did land inside the compound, one between two barracks. ¶2. (U) According to press accounts, despite the attacks, President Maduro reaffirmed November 3, that Honduras would not be deterred from continuing to provide troops in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Maduro cited Honduras' long standing alliance with the U.S., its commitments as a UN member, and Honduras' moral obligation to contribute to peacekeeping missions among the reasons to stay the course in Iraq. Maduro assured the Honduran people that the Government of Honduras (GOH) would continue to monitor the situation and do all it could to provide for the troop's safety. However, Maduro stated that the mission did involve certain risks that Honduras was prepared to take. ¶3. (C) While the GOH downplayed the incident to the press, privately MOD Breve expressed relief to MILGRP Commander that the attacks produced no casualties, stating the GOH could face sustainment problems if Honduran troops were targeted. (Comment: Concerns remain that a determined attack against the Honduran compound could easily produce casualties. If this were to occur, there would be intense pressure on Maduro to withdrawal Honduran troops from Iraq. End Comment). ¶4. (U) Minimize considered. Palmer