HONDURAS APPROVES CNIES INFORMATION SHARING

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002738 SIPDIS STATE FOR INL/LP AND L/LEI STATE FOR WHA/PPC AND WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR MOPS EAIR PREL HO SUBJECT: HONDURAS APPROVES CNIES INFORMATION SHARING AGREEMENT REF: A. CUMMINS-AGUILERA EMAIL 11/30/04 ¶B. TEGUCIGALPA 2636 ¶C. SECSTATE 242242 ¶D. TEGUCIGALPA 2418 ¶E. SECSTATE 209663 ¶1. On December 7, Post finally received the hard-copy of Diplomatic Note 173-DT (dated November 30, 2004) from the Honduran Foreign Ministry in response to Post's diplomatic note number 316 of October 19. The Honduran note contains formal GOH acceptance of the proposed CNIES information sharing agreement per reftel E without changes to our suggested response. Per ref E, Post will send a copy of both diplomatic notes, accompanied by an English translation of the GOH response (not including the direct quotation of the U.S. dip note),via pouch to L/LEI. Post is also faxing a copy of the diplomatic notes to L/LEI, INL/LP, and WHA/CEN. ¶2. Informal translation of GOH dip note follows: Note No. 173-DT The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends its greetings to the Honorable Embassy of the United States of America and has the pleasure to acknowledge receipt of Diplomatic Note No. 316 dated October 19, 2004, which literally says: (Complete text of the Embassy's diplomatic note follows) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Honduras hereby confirms that the above communication is acceptable to Honduras and that the Embassy of the United States of America's note as well as this response, shall comprise agreement among our two governments as of this date. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to extend the Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its highest consideration. Tegucigalpa, M.D.C., November 30, 2004 (initials of Foreign Minister Leonidas Rosa Bautista and GOH seal) ¶3. This exchange of diplomatic notes brings into effect a formal understanding between the U.S. and the GOH on the use of data provided by the CNIES program. Pierce