HONDURAS REITERATES REASON FOR IRAQ WITHDRAWAL;

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 001057

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/06/2014
TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR IZ HA HO
SUBJECT: HONDURAS REITERATES REASON FOR IRAQ WITHDRAWAL;
EXPRESSES POSSIBLE INTEREST IN HAITI DEPLOYMENT

REF: A. TEGUCIGALPA 910

B. STATE 87181

C. FM ROSA BAUTISTA-SECRETARY POWELL APRIL 16 LETTER

D. CJCS-CHOD APRIL 15 2004 LETTER

E. TEGUCIGALPA 893

Classified By: Charge d' Affaires Roger D. Pierce;
reasons 1.4 (a),(b),and (d).


1. (C) Summary: On May 4, PolCouns, DATT, and PolMilOff met
with Minister of Defense (MOD) Federico Breve and Chairman of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) General Jose Isaias Barahona
to discuss Iraq and SOUTHCOM's proposed Regional Training
Initiative (RTI). During the course of conversation, both
Government of Honduras (GOH) officials stated an interest in
Honduran participation in the UN peacekeeping mission to
Haiti, but indicated a period of approximately six months
would be necessary before any troops could be deployed. MOD
Breve and CJCS Barahona expressed some nervousness over how
the GOH's announcement to withdraw from Iraq had been
received in Washington and again affirmed that the CJCS-CHOD
April 15 letter (ref D) was the main reason for Honduras'
decision to leave Iraq. The GOH also stands ready to move
forward on RTI in principle, but it is awaiting a formal
request from SOUTHCOM and further details on how to proceed.
End Summary.


2. (C) MOD Breve and CJCS Barahona stated the GOH chose to
leave Iraq before completing their one-year obligation due to
the substance of the CJCS-CHOD April 15 letter (ref D). They
stated the Honduran constitution prohibits the GOH from
participating in offensive combat operations and that the
Honduran National Congress had explicitly stated the GOH
deployment was intended for the sole purpose of humanitarian
assistance. The GOH felt that any modification of the
original mission was beyond the scope envisioned when the GOH
agreed to deploy troops to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi
Freedom.


3. (C) MOD Breve stated that the GOH had agreed previously
with the U.S. not to share the contents of the CJCS-CHOD
letter publicly. The GOH remains concerned, however, that
the reason for the Honduran troops' withdrawal is not
entirely understood in Washington and they are concerned that
the GOH's decision could negatively affect the bilateral
relationship.


4. (C) MOD Breve stated he expected Honduran troops to be out
of Iraq and into neighboring Kuwait by May 21. The final
details of how to return the troops from Kuwait are still
being coordinated. CJCS Barahona said he remains concerned
about force protection issues as GOH forces withdraw from
Iraq as they will be vulnerable once outside their protected
compound.


5. (C) During the course of conversation on Iraq and
international peacekeeping missions in general, DATT queried
MOD Breve and CJCS Barahona on the GOH's willingness to
consider participating in UN authorized peacekeeping
operations in Haiti. (Note: Previously, MOD Breve had asked
the U.S. informally not to formally request a Honduran
deployment to Haiti due to the GOH's obligations in Iraq. End
Note). Both GOH officials stated an interest in a Honduran
deployment, but indicated a period of approximately six
months would be necessary before any GOH troops could again
be sent abroad. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General
for Foreign Policy Ambassador Mario Fortin told Acting
PolCouns May 6 that the GOH might be interested in assisting
in Haiti, but noted that the current political climate was
not good. Fortin said that absent a clearer United Nations
Security Council resolution that covered peacekeeping instead
of stabilization, the GOH would not be able to participate.
He said the GOH understood that Brazil was pushing for such a
resolution. Fortin noted that the MFA had also talked to the
French about possibly sending Honduran troops to Haiti.


6. (U) On the evening of May 6, President Ricardo Maduro
announced that his government was analyzing a UN request for
Honduran participation in peacekeeping operations in Haiti.
He added, however, that the Congress might not view the
request favorably because the Honduran troops will just be
returning from Iraq.


7. (SBU) MOD Breve and CJCS Barahona stated the GOH was ready
to move forward in principle on SOUTHCOM's RTI proposal but
the GOH was still waiting for a formal request from the
United States. (Note: MILGP is preparing a formal RTI letter
on SOUTHCOM's behalf requesting a GOH response. This letter
should be delivered to the GOH shortly. End Note) Both
officials also indicated they are very interested in
receiving more details from SOUTHCOM on exactly how RTI will
function.


8. (C) Comment: MOD Breve and CJCS Barahona remain concerned
about the GOH's planned withdrawal from Iraq and how it will
affect Honduras' relationship with the United States. As a
result, Post believes the GOH might now be willing to deploy
peacekeeping troops to Haiti, if requested, as a means of
demonstrating Honduras' continued interest in international
peacekeeping operations. However, such a request would have
a higher chance of success after Honduran troops in Iraq have
returned to Honduras and the UNSC passes another resolution
on Haiti that addresses the GOH's concerns. End Comment.


9. (U) Minimize considered.
PIERCE