C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 001461

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CCA AND WHA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2014
TAGS: ETTC PREL CU HO
SUBJECT: TEGUCIGALPA RESPONSE TO NSC-DIRECTED REVIEW
REGARDING WAIVER OF TITLE III OF THE LIBERTAD ACT

REF: STATE 135512

Classified By: Political Counselor Francisco Palmieri;
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) The Government of Honduras (GOH) has actively worked
to advance democracy, human rights, and fundamental freedoms
in Cuba. On April 15, the UN Commission on Human Rights
(UNCHR) passed a Honduran-sponsored resolution calling for
greater respect for human rights in Cuba. The Government of
Cuba responded to the GOH's action by suspending pending
maritime boundary negotiations with Honduras, something that
has been a foreign policy priority of President Ricardo
Maduro's administration. Also, while the GOH does have
formal diplomatic relations with Cuba, Honduras has not named
an Ambassador to Cuba, partly out of deference to U.S.
wishes. However, the GOH consistently and publicly states
that concern over Cuba's human rights policies is a
fundamental tenet of its policy toward the Castro regime.


2. (C) If the Title III waiver were not renewed for Honduras,
it could undermine clear GOH support for pressuring Cuba to
improve its human rights record, undermine general GOH
support for U.S. Cuba policy, and unnecessarily punish a
supportive regional ally.
Palmer