Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04TEGUCIGALPA1597
2004-07-19 22:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Cable title:  

GOH, BUT NOT HONDURAN CIVIL SOCIETY, OPEN TO

Tags:  PREL PGOV PHUM ELAB CU HO ILO 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 001597 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CCA, WHA/CEN, DRL/IL, DRL/PHD, AND INR/B

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ELAB CU HO ILO
SUBJECT: GOH, BUT NOT HONDURAN CIVIL SOCIETY, OPEN TO
SUPPORTING CUBAN CIVIL SOCIETY; MFA NAMES NEW CHARGE FOR
EMBASSY IN HAVANA

REF: A. STATE 152813


B. STATE 153312

C. TEGUCIGALPA 1461

D. TEGUCIGALPA 793

Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Derrick Olsen;
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 001597

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CCA, WHA/CEN, DRL/IL, DRL/PHD, AND INR/B

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ELAB CU HO ILO
SUBJECT: GOH, BUT NOT HONDURAN CIVIL SOCIETY, OPEN TO
SUPPORTING CUBAN CIVIL SOCIETY; MFA NAMES NEW CHARGE FOR
EMBASSY IN HAVANA

REF: A. STATE 152813


B. STATE 153312

C. TEGUCIGALPA 1461

D. TEGUCIGALPA 793

Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Derrick Olsen;
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) As noted in ref C, the 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-drafted resolution calling for greater
respect for human rights in Cuba. The Government of Cuba
(GOC) 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. (SBU) The MFA publicly announced that Humberto Lopez
Villamil, currently the DCM at the Honduran Embassy in Quito,
had been appointed as the new Charge d'Affaires in Havana.
He will replace the current Charge, Reinieri Amador. PolOffs
will try to meet with Lopez to stress the importance of
supporting Cuban civil society in late July or early August
after he leaves Ecuador and comes to Honduras prior to taking
his post in Havana.


3. (C) Note: MFA Director General (DG) Mario Fortin had told
PolCouns earlier that this announcement was coming. A
22-year career officer, Lopez Villamil may also be promoted
to rank of career Ambassador, but Honduran representation in
Havana will not be elevated. End Note.


4. (SBU) In general, Honduran nongovernmental organizations
(NGOs) do not share the same willingness as the GOH to
advocate human and labor rights in Cuba. As noted in ref D,
many NGO and union leaders were highly critical of the GOH's
drafting of the UNCHR resolution on Cuba. The most common
argument made by critics was that the GOH is in no position
to criticize another country due to the serious human rights
problems in Honduras, especially extrajudicial killings.
Even Catholic Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez made a veiled
statement along these lines. Other arguments made by critics
include castigating the GOH for criticizing a country that
has been helpful since Hurricane Mitch hit in 1998 by
providing doctors and educating medical students, and calling
the GOH a U.S. lackey, among others.


5. (C) Some NGOs are thought to receive financing or other
assistance from the GOC. Many NGOs and some unions in
Honduras are also ideologically predisposed not to criticize
the GOC, despite the fact that their ability to voice
opinions critical of the GOH is a freedom Cubans do not
enjoy. A possible exception is Andres Pavon, President of
the human rights NGO CODEH, and a recent IVP grantee. During
the controversy in March/April over the UNCHR Cuba
resolution, Pavon told PolOff privately that, unlike most NGO
leaders taking public stands criticizing the GOH, he
supported the GOH drafting a UNCHR resolution on Cuba. He
agreed with his NGO colleagues that there is much to
criticize about the GOH's human rights record, but said that
did not preclude the GOH from drafting a resolution that
criticized a country with clear human rights abuses. Post
notes that two labor confederations, CTH and CUTH, are
affiliated with the International Confederation of Free Trade
Unions (ICFTU),and might be willing to support ICFTU calls
for labor rights in Cuba. Post is not aware of any prominent
Honduran labor leader having criticized the lack of labor
rights in Cuba in the last couple years.


6. (C) Comment: Post believes that, while gun-shy of another
public confrontation with the GOC, the GOH will continue to
emphasize the importance of human rights in Cuba. A new
Charge in Havana will give the GOH a chance to focus on
supporting Cuban civil society as well. Unfortunately, Post
has not seen any prominent Honduran NGO or labor leader take
a public position critical of the GOC or strongly supportive
of Cuban civil society. As such, Post is not very optimistic
that a Honduran civil society leader would be willing to
publicly stand up for Cuban human and labor rights. End
Comment.
Palmer