TASK FORCE XATRUCH I RETURNS AS HONDURAN ARMED

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 000466 SIPDIS STATE FOR PM, WHA/CEN, AND WHA/PPC E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2014 TAGS: MOPS MARR PREL PGOV ASEC IZ HO SUBJECT: TASK FORCE XATRUCH I RETURNS AS HONDURAN ARMED FORCES PROUDLY CELEBRATE THEIR ROLE IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM REF: A. TEGUCIGALPA 234 ¶B. USDAO TEGUCIGALPA IIR 101921Z 04 ¶C. 03 TEGUCIGALPA 2249 (NOTAL) Classified By: Political Counselor Francisco Palmieri; Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) Summary: On February 20, the Government of Honduras (GOH) celebrated the return of Task Force Xatruch I (TFXI), the 370-man contingent the GOH deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF),with full honors and a military parade. Final elements of TFXI arrived in Honduras February 19, accompanied by TFXI commander Coronel Carlos Andino Cobos. TFXI had been deployed to Iraq since August ¶2003. Task Force Xatruch II, commanded by Colonel Wilfredo Calderon Canales, arrived in Iraq in mid-February with a scheduled deployment of six months. Per ref A, Post believes the GOH can be persuaded to authorize a second one-year deployment, barring any unforeseen major complications in Iraq. End Summary ¶2. (U) On February 20, the Government of Honduras (GOH) celebrated the return of TFXI, the 370-man contingent the GOH deployed to Iraq in support of OIF, with full honors and a military parade. Final elements of TFXI arrived in Honduras February 19, accompanied by TFXI commander Coronel Carlos Andino Cobos. TFXI had been deployed to Iraq since August ¶2003. Present for the ceremony were Honduran Minister of Defense (MOD) Federico Breve, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Jose Isaias Barahona (CJCS),AMB, Spanish Ambassador to Hondura, SOUTHCOM representative General Jelinski, and many other high level members of the GOH, the Honduran Armed Forces (HAF),and members of the diplomatic community. Post assisted the GOH in organizing the event by providing part of the refreshments for the returning troops and their family members. ¶3. (SBU) While the deployment remains controversial (ref A), Hondurans in general are very proud of their returning troops. All members of TFXI were given medals, and many mentioned that they would be like to return to Iraq for a second tour. The Honduran press fully covered the event, with the primary focus being on the reunification of families and the successful completion of the first deployment. TFXI's successful mission appears to have boosted the overall morale of the HAF as well as its standing in Honduran society. ¶4. (U) In public remarks, MOD Breve praised the valor of Honduran troops, saying that "all of Honduras was proud of their Armed Forces for being prepared, disciplined, and for successfully completing their mission to Iraq." CJCS Barahona also congratulated the soldiers for a job well done, stating that Honduras and the world was grateful for their contribution toward peace and stability in Iraq. ¶5. (C) Comment: The HAF will likely extend its commitment in Iraq if called upon (ref A & B). Recent visits by high level USG officials, coupled with expectations of significant increases in military and other assistance, have given the Maduro administration a needed political boost. Rhetorical commitments aside, however, Honduras' dedication to support OIF is certainly contingent upon TFXII not sustaining casualties. Any political capital the Maduro administration has accumulated regarding the deployment would likely vanish overnight, even if only a handful of soldiers were to lose their lives. If casualties were to occur, the opposition Liberal Party (which has consistently opposed the deployment) would also paint Maduro as a "dupe," of the USG, by needlessly putting Honduran troops in harms way. Should this occur, it could also have serious repercussions for upcoming presidential elections in 2005. End Comment. PALMER