HONDURAN MINISTER OF DEFENSE NEEDS INFORMATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 000981

SIPDIS

STATE FOR PM, WHA, WHA/CEN, AND WHA/PPC
CENTCOM FOR J5
JCS FOR J5

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2013
TAGS: PREL MOPS IZ HO
SUBJECT: HONDURAN MINISTER OF DEFENSE NEEDS INFORMATION
FROM CENTCOM PRIOR TO REQUESTING CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL FOR
DEPLOYMENT OF HONDURAN TROOPS TO POST-WAR IRAQ

REF: A. TEGUCIGALPA 881

B. TEGUCIGALPA 862

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Roger Pierce;
Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).

(C) DCM, DATT, MILGP Commander, and PolMilOff met with
Honduran Minister of Defense (MOD) Federico Breve on April 23
and discussed, among other issues, the GOH's offer to
provide Honduran troops for post-war humanitarian needs
(demining or peacekeeping) in Iraq (refs A and B). MOD Breve
told EmbOffs that he had a number of operational questions
before the GOH was ready to ask for congressional approval of
such a deployment. Post understands that the Honduran
military liaison to CENTCOM, COL Carlos Andino Cobos, is
working with CENTCOM to determine the most appropriate
contribution of Honduran troops for post-war Iraq. In
addition, Post's MILGP Commander will work with CENTCOM to
seek answers to MOD Breve's specific questions to facilitate
the fulfillment of the Honduran troop offer.
Pierce