Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04TEGUCIGALPA2373
2004-10-22 15:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Cable title:
HONDURAS DECLARED MINE FREE
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002373
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PM, WHA/CEN, WHA/PPC, AND WHA/USOAS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR MCAP PGOV PARM HO
SUBJECT: HONDURAS DECLARED MINE FREE
REF: TEGUCIGALPA 02131
UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002373
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PM, WHA/CEN, WHA/PPC, AND WHA/USOAS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR MCAP PGOV PARM HO
SUBJECT: HONDURAS DECLARED MINE FREE
REF: TEGUCIGALPA 02131
1. On Friday, October 8, the Government of Honduras (GOH)
convened a ceremony at the Headquarters of the First Infantry
Battalion (Primer Batallon de Infanteria) on the outskirts of
Tegucigalpa to officially declare Honduras mine free. U.S.
participation in the demining efforts was directed through
the Assistance Mission for Mine Clearance in Central America
(MARMINCA),which coordinated through the Organization of
American States (OAS) and the Inter-American Defense Board
(IADB). Mine clearance began in 1994 and lasted a total of
nine years. The demining team finalized its work along the
Honduras/Nicaragua border, specifically focusing on the
wartime remnants left over from the Central American civil
wars of the 1980s. There has been no confirmed findings of
mines in Honduras since June 30, 2004.
2. The team was responsible for cleaning an area that totaled
nearly 1,479 square kilometers. All told, the program
resulted in the removal of approximately 2,191 mines, 214
explosive artifacts, and 60,521 pieces of war refuse. With
the land now clear of danger, the GOH estimates that more
than 67,000 families will likely move into the area and start
farming.
3. Nonetheless, IADB personnel report that due to Hurricane
Mitch, there may be some deep-seated mines that have yet to
be discovered. These mines would only pose a potential
problem if the area were to undergo major construction
projects, which could disturb and perhaps set off the mines.
4. The Ambassadors of Germany, Denmark, Spain, France, and
Italy were present at the ceremony; PolMilOff attended the
ceremony for the Embassy.
Palmer
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PM, WHA/CEN, WHA/PPC, AND WHA/USOAS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR MCAP PGOV PARM HO
SUBJECT: HONDURAS DECLARED MINE FREE
REF: TEGUCIGALPA 02131
1. On Friday, October 8, the Government of Honduras (GOH)
convened a ceremony at the Headquarters of the First Infantry
Battalion (Primer Batallon de Infanteria) on the outskirts of
Tegucigalpa to officially declare Honduras mine free. U.S.
participation in the demining efforts was directed through
the Assistance Mission for Mine Clearance in Central America
(MARMINCA),which coordinated through the Organization of
American States (OAS) and the Inter-American Defense Board
(IADB). Mine clearance began in 1994 and lasted a total of
nine years. The demining team finalized its work along the
Honduras/Nicaragua border, specifically focusing on the
wartime remnants left over from the Central American civil
wars of the 1980s. There has been no confirmed findings of
mines in Honduras since June 30, 2004.
2. The team was responsible for cleaning an area that totaled
nearly 1,479 square kilometers. All told, the program
resulted in the removal of approximately 2,191 mines, 214
explosive artifacts, and 60,521 pieces of war refuse. With
the land now clear of danger, the GOH estimates that more
than 67,000 families will likely move into the area and start
farming.
3. Nonetheless, IADB personnel report that due to Hurricane
Mitch, there may be some deep-seated mines that have yet to
be discovered. These mines would only pose a potential
problem if the area were to undergo major construction
projects, which could disturb and perhaps set off the mines.
4. The Ambassadors of Germany, Denmark, Spain, France, and
Italy were present at the ceremony; PolMilOff attended the
ceremony for the Embassy.
Palmer