OAS ENVOY JOHN GATES TO ISSUE HONDURAS/EL SALVADOR

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001437

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PBTS PREL MOPS ES HO
SUBJECT: OAS ENVOY JOHN GATES TO ISSUE HONDURAS/EL SALVADOR
BORDER DEMARCATION PROCESS



1. On June 20, OAS envoy, National Geospacial-Intelligence
Agency (NGA) Specialist, John Gates completed his survey of
the six disputed land border areas between Honduras and El
Salvador. Gates, who began the project on August 18, 2003,
was tasked (as an honest broker),with assisting Honduras and
El Salvador to mark their respective border areas as directed
by the September 11, 1992, International Court of Justice
(ICJ) decision demarcating the border between Honduras and El
Salvador. Both Honduras and El Salvador have agreed to abide
by all decisions made by Gates and, apart from a November 11,
2003, decision to award El Salvador approximately one square
kilometer of territory due to a technical error in the
original ICJ decision, Gates has not deviated from the ICJ's
determinations.


2. Mr. Gates is expected to deliver his findings to the OAS
by August 12. The OAS will then prepare a final report,
based on Gates' input, that will be presented to both
Honduras and El Salvador sometime in October. This report
will form the basis of a legally binding document, to be
signed by both countries, to finally complete the border
demarcation process.


3. Comment: The Government of Honduras (GOH) is anxious to
conclude the demarcation process a soon as possible. In the
past, GOH angst over perceived Government of El Salvador
foot-dragging on demarcating the respective border region has
caused some friction in the bilateral relationship. With all
technical and legal barriers expected to be completed this
year, the GOH hopes the actual border marking process can be
entirely completed sometime in 2005. End Comment.


Palmer