TEGUCIGALPA RESPONSE TO NSC-DIRECTED REVIEW

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 002719

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CCA AND WHA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2014
TAGS: ETTC PREL CU HO
SUBJECT: TEGUCIGALPA RESPONSE TO NSC-DIRECTED REVIEW
REGARDING WAIVER OF TITLE III OF THE LIBERTAD ACT

REF: STATE 248337

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Roger Pierce;
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, an item which
was 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.
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. PolCouns met with the new
Honduran Charge d'Affaires in Havana, Humberto Lopez
Villamil, prior to his recent departure to Havana to
emphasize the importance of human rights in Cuba. Villamil
welcomed the meeting and indicated he would seek out the U.S.
Interests Section in Havana.


2. (C) In addition, the GOH has agreed to accept 18 Cubans
from Guantanamo. The GOH is doing this despite a possible
negative reaction from the GOC.


3. (SBU) Post has no information available on investments
made in Cuba by Honduran individuals or companies. The
Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Central Bank collect
information on foreign investments made in Honduras, grouped
by country of origin, but have never collected information on
Honduran investments abroad. This year, for the first time,
the Central Bank has added a question on Honduran investment
abroad to its annual questionnaire of Honduran companies.
They hope to compare the data received from this question
with information that other governments provide on Honduran
foreign investment in their countries. In the future,
therefore, this information should become available.


4. (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