Honduras Poised to Become Leader in Port Security

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 TEGUCIGALPA 001577

SIPDIS

FOR WHA/CEN AND WHA/PPC
FOR EB/CBA AND EB/TRA
FOR INL/LP AND S/CT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EWWT EINV ETRD PBTS SNAR PTER BEXP ECON PGOV HO
SUBJECT: Honduras Poised to Become Leader in Port Security

Ref: Tegucigalpa 404


1. SUMMARY: Following a June visit to the ports of Honduras,
a United States Coast Guard delegation confirmed that
Honduras was taking the appropriate measures to ready its
ports for certification on July 1, and to successfully
comply with International Maritime Organization (IMO)
requirements and the Maritime Transportation Security Act
(MTSA). The team visited Puerto Castilla, Puerto Cortes, a
cruise ship dock in Roatan, and the port of San Lorenzo,
leaving only the national port of La Ceiba uninspected by
the Coast Guard. Visits to the four international Honduran
ports revealed that, despite some minor shortcomings,
Honduras has made progress in improving port security worthy
of regional emulation. Upon conclusion of the port
inspections, the Coast Guard delegation commended the
Honduran authorities for their efforts to revamp port
security, stating that when other countries doubt their
ability to effect such rapid improvement in port security
measures, the Coast Guard will highlight Honduras as an
example of success. On July 1, the National Commission for
Port Protection successfully certified all four of the ports
visited by the U.S. Coast Guard. END SUMMARY

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Introduction
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2. In May, the Government of Honduras (GOH),in
collaboration with its newly established National Commission
for Port Protection (CNPP),extended an invitation to the
United States Coast Guard (USCG) to inspect ports within
Honduran territory. In response, on June 14, 2004 a ten-
person delegation from the U.S. Coast Guard traveled to
Honduras to inspect a series of ports on the Atlantic and
Pacific coasts, as well as a cruise ship dock in the Bay
Islands. Honduras was the first country in the Western
Hemisphere to voluntarily have their ports visited and
evaluated by the U.S. Coast Guard.


3. The purpose of the inspection was to evaluate the
implementation of new measures of protection established in
the International Shipping and Port Facility Security (ISPS)
Code set forth by the International Maritime Organization
(IMO). In addition, the USCG sought to conduct a mutually
beneficial exchange of information and ideas with the GOH in
order to identify successful practices, which could improve
maritime security and counteract global terrorism. Honduran
ports had been working intensely to meet the IMO
certification deadline of June 30 (Ref).


4. The delegation representing the U.S. Coast Guard, led by
Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Lo Sciuto, included Lt. Cmdr. Oziel Vela,
Mr. Michael Brown, Lt. Jeff Wasserman, Lt. Galia Kaplan, Mr.
Peyton Coleman, Mr. Jeff Hoagland, and Ens. Nicolas
Oliverie, with Mr. Nick Lakis from Transportation Security
Administration and Ms. Dixie Faries from Customs and Border
Protection. The facilities subject to inspection were
Puerto Castilla near Trujillo, Puerto Cortes north of San
Pedro Sula, the cruise ship dock of Roatan, and the port of
San Lorenzo.

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Background on the National Commission of Port Protection
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5. In April, President Maduro approved the creation of the
National Commission for Port Protection (CNPP),a Honduran
governmental organization that acts as the principal
authority on port security matters at the national level.
The commission was granted full authority to certify all
Honduran ports in agreement under the IMO's ISPS code.
Certification of the vessels in the Honduran national ship
registry is the responsibility of the General Direction of
the Merchant Marine in accordance with the ISPS Code, which
includes evaluations, elaboration of protection plans, and
certification. The GOH was aware that without
certification, international maritime trade between Honduras
and the U.S. would be jeopardized, as vessels originating
from Honduras would, at a minimum, experience significant
difficulties docking in the United States, and possibly be
refused entry into U.S. waters and ports.

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Introductory Meeting at the Presidential Palace
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6. Prior to the first Coast Guard inspection, the
delegation met at the Presidential Palace with the GOH's
high-level port security inspection team. Those present
included Minister of Trade and Industry Norman Garcia,
Minister of Defense Federico Breve, Minister of Public Works
and Transportation Jorge Carranza, Minister of Public
Security Oscar Alvarez, Port Security Officer Dennis
Chinchilla, Merchant Marine Chief Marco Augusto Hernandez,
and Presidential Adviser Mauro Membreno.


7. Mr. Chinchilla gave the Coast Guard delegation a well-
organized presentation outlining the background information
and recent progress of each of the ports to be inspected.
The presentation highlighted Honduras's favorable maritime
location and demonstrated that the GOH established port
security parameters consistent with ISPS and MTSA code. He
informed the USCG that as of the meeting, port assessments
had been approved, with the audit timetable scheduled to be
turned in the week of June 22. Mr. Chinchilla reaffirmed
the government's commitment to complete the certification
process by June 30. The presentation was followed by a
question-and-answer period between the Honduran
representatives and the Coast Guard delegation. Lt. Cmdr.
Joseph Lo Sciuto ably led the discussion and served as
spokesperson on behalf of the Coast Guard throughout the
meeting.

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Visit to Puerto Castilla
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8. The Coast Guard visit got off to a very positive start
with the inspection of Puerto Castilla (Standard Fruit/Dole
facility). The delegation praised the strict entry and exit
procedures encountered on arrival. Upon entrance, all
occupants were required to exit from the vehicles for a
thorough search at both the original entry point and the
internal entrance to the facilities. Employees all wore
visible photo identification badges and were checked with
metal detectors upon entrance and exit for every shift.

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Visit to Puerto Cortes
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9. Puerto Cortes is the most important maritime customs
facility in Honduras. The port is the largest port on the
Caribbean side of Central America. Because Guatemalan ports
can only dock up to four ships while Puerto Cortes can dock
up to ten, use of the Honduran port is preferable and more
efficient for sea freight shipping to the United States. In
2003, Puerto Cortes handled 7.6 million metric tons of
cargo, or 577,000 containers.


10. At Puerto Cortes, the Coast Guard delegation
acknowledged the effective security measures already in
place, noting that the port sets a good example for other
facilities. They expressed some concern over the height of
port lighting and the need to complete implementation of
some entry/exit control points. The team fully reviewed the
port's security plan and found that it met the ISPS
standards. They suggested that the port authority could
improve the plan by implementing and testing it, and
ensuring full coordination with local municipal authorities.
The GOH scheduled preliminary testing the week of June 22,
after the USCG team departed, during which the CNPP
conducted audits in order to verify compliance with the
requirements of the ISPS code. At this time, the CNPP found
that minimum requirements were met. In the future, the CNPP
will conduct planned testing annually, in addition to
unplanned testing periodically, to verify that the port
stays in compliance with the code.

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Visit to the Cruise Ship Dock in Roatan
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11. At the cruise ship dock in Roatan, the Coast Guard
delegation found the security measures to be still under
development. They had temporary, rather than permanent,
guards in place. The team noted that the guards needed
better training on the inner perimeter. Improvements were
also needed on the outer perimeter wall, especially by the
main building. Although the GOH had begun to implement a
photo identification badge system, police were not checking
tourists reentering for the cruise ships. An Embassy
Military Group officer noted that a local band playing
beside a cruise ship entered with drums that had not been
inspected and could pose a potential hazard. The GOH
officials said they would look into installing x-ray
equipment for better checks in the future. In addition,
individual shipping facilities on the island were at varying
stages of readiness. Some have plans drawn up that would
exceed minimum requirements while others do not appear to
have begun preparation. The CNPP told the team that none of
those facilities would be certified until they come into
compliance with ISPS code.

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Visit to Port of San Lorenzo
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12. The Coast Guard delegation's final inspection took
place at the port of San Lorenzo, located on the Pacific
Coast in the Gulf of Fonseca. Overall, the delegation
approved of the measures in place. The port had two
entrances, both guarded by national police. The group
received clearance to enter at the external entrance and was
escorted by a police officer to the internal entrance. At
the internal entrance, all occupants were required to exit
the vehicle for inspection, which was the same procedure
implemented for vehicles departing. All port employees wore
photo identification badges and visitors, including the
delegation, were required to trade photo identification for
visitor badges. As previously noted, an identical procedure
is used at Puerto Cortes and Puerto Castilla.


13. Upon inspection of the facility, the delegation made
some suggestions for improvement. For example, some foliage
and containers lined the inside perimeter of the fence,
revealing locations where outsiders may be able to climb
over the fence and gain access to the port. The Coast Guard
extensively reviewed the security measures already in place.
They were satisfied with the cooperation between the naval
and police forces. The delegation also verified that should
the threat level rise, those in charge at the port would be
able to take the necessary measures to provide sufficient
security.

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Embassy Outbriefing
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14. Upon completion of the port inspections, the Coast
Guard delegation met with Embassy representatives and
Ambassador Palmer to review the visit. Lt. Cmdr. Lo Sciuto
began by noting that the ISPS code has a baseline, and
Honduras had set their standards above that baseline. The
delegation was impressed with the progress of the ports and
their efforts to meet their self-implemented high standards.
They were especially impressed with Puerto Castilla (the
Dole fruit company facility),observing that it was very
efficient and one of the best ports they visited. The
delegation found the security in place to be consistent with
ISPS code standards, suggesting that temporarily increasing
security when vessels come in would be sufficient.


15. Regarding future plans, Lt. Cmdr. Lo Sciuto stated that
the full team would re-inspect the ports in three years; but
prior to this visit, someone from the USCG would be back to
inspect when the Honduran port authorities feel they have
fully implemented all their security upgrades. In the
meantime, the Embassy plans to conduct unannounced visits to
the ports throughout the summer to verify that the ports are
not falling out of compliance.

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Concluding Meeting at the Presidential Palace
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16. The Coast Guard delegation reconvened at the
Presidential Palace for a final meeting with Honduran
representatives. Those present on behalf of the United
States included the entire Coast Guard delegation and
representatives from the Embassy. Those representing the
Honduran government included Minister of Trade and Industry
Norman Garcia, Minister of Defense Federico Breve, Minister
of Public Works and Transportation Jorge Carranza, Port
Security Officer Dennis Chinchilla, Merchant Marine Chief
Marco Augusto Hernandez, and Presidential Adviser Mauro
Membreno.


17. Lt. Cmdr. Lo Sciuto began by reading a statement to the
panel. His statement highlighted Honduras's significant
progress with port security. He commented that Honduras was
doing a great job implementing the requirements set forth in
the ISPS code, but must keep progressing in order to
establish themselves as the lead example in the region. He
clarified that the U.S. Coast Guard was not in Honduras to
certify the ports, but rather to assess the implementation
of the GOH's port security regime.


18. The GOH asked for future interaction between Honduras
and the U.S. Coast Guard, and indicated an interest in
testing its ability and decision-making process for
elevating the ports' alert levels. The USCG reassured the
Ministers that they would maintain a partnership with
Honduras, extending them an open invitation to visit and
observe the port security process in place in the United
States. Ms. Dixie Faries, the U.S. Customs representative,
stated that U.S. Customs intended to provide training and
assistance to Honduras.


19. Lt. Cmdr. Lo Sciuto emphasized the importance of
following through with their recommendations in order not to
fall out of compliance with the code. He made some
specific, well-received recommendations to improve port
security in Honduras even further. The first suggestion
involved increased interaction between the port authorities
and the Frontier Police, either in a partnership or
oversight capacity. An additional suggestion concerned the
lighting at Puerto Cortes, where the light towers currently
in place are 55 feet tall, rather than the required 80 feet
tall. In conclusion, he stated that should Honduras
continue along the same path, they would serve as a model
for port security in the region.

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Media Response to Coast Guard Visit
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20. Initially, the media misinterpreted the role of the
U.S. Coast Guard visit to inspect the Honduran ports,
thinking that the Coast Guard was responsible for
certification of the ports. The content of the initial
reporting was otherwise accurate and objective. After the
final meeting at the Presidential Palace, an Embassy
spokesperson, on behalf of the Coast Guard, read a statement
in Spanish to the press noting Honduras's progress with port
security. In response to questions, he clarified that the
Coast Guard was not in charge of certifying the ports;
rather, that was the responsibility of the CNPP. Media
coverage following the Coast Guard visit was positive and
optimistic, reflecting well upon the Honduran government and
port security measures in place and under development.

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Comment
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21. The U.S. Coast Guard visit proved successful and
beneficial to Honduran and U.S. representatives, reaffirming
once again that the relationship between Honduras and the
U.S. is one of cooperation and collaboration. GOH Ministers
were extremely pleased with the Coast Guard's findings,
voicing their intent to take into consideration all
suggestions. On July 1, the CNPP successfully certified all
four of the ports visited by the U.S. Coast Guard. The
fifth remaining port in La Ceiba will likely be certified in
the near future. End comment.

Palmer