HONDURAS TO BE HELPFUL AT SPECIAL SUMMIT OF THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 000058 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/USOAS, WHA/EPSC (SLISTON),AND WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/09/2014 TAGS: PREL KSUM KDEM XM XL HO SUBJECT: HONDURAS TO BE HELPFUL AT SPECIAL SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS REF: A. STATE 443 ¶B. 03 STATE 348650 Classified By: Francisco L. Palmieri, Political Counselor; Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Ambassador Palmer delivered Ref A demarche to Honduran President Ricardo Maduro and Foreign Minister Leonidas Rosa Bautista on January 8 and 7. (Note: Post had delivered Ref B demarche to MFA on December 29. End Note.) In separate meetings with President Maduro and FM Rosa Bautista, Ambassador Palmer emphasized the importance of the Summit producing credible results that are meaningful to both nations' general public. He particularly stressed the importance of strong language on transparency and anti-corruption efforts, education, terrorism and the need for specific dates for completion of actions. President Maduro and FM Rosa Bautista expressed their support for U.S. objectives. Rosa Bautista told the Ambassador that he expected MFA Director General for Foreign Policy Ambassador Mario Fortin to work closely with the U.S. delegation to ensure that the Summit declaration is geared towards producing tangible results. ¶2. (C) FM Rosa Bautista told the Ambassador he would arrive in Mexico on Sunday, January 11, and that President Maduro would arrive on January 12. He noted that Ambassador Fortin was already in Mexico and encouraged the U.S. delegation to seek him out in order to explore ways that Honduras can be more supportive of U.S. goals and objectives. PALMER