CODEL BALLENGER DISCUSSES CUBA, IRAQ, CAFTA,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 TEGUCIGALPA 000858

SIPDIS

STATE FOR H AND CODEL BALLENGER
STATE FOR PM, INL/LP, DRL/MLA, DRL/IL, AND EB
STATE FOR WHA/CCA, WHA/EPSC, WHA/PPC, AND WHA/CEN
STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CEN
STATE PASS USTR
DOL FOR ILAB

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/14/2014
TAGS: PREL OREP ETRD SNAR PGOV PHUM EAGR CU HO
SUBJECT: CODEL BALLENGER DISCUSSES CUBA, IRAQ, CAFTA,
NARCOTRAFFICKING, AND U.S. ASSISTANCE WITH PRES. MADURO

REF: A. TEGUCIGALPA 782

B. TEGUCIGALPA 751

Classified By: Ambassador Larry L. Palmer;
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (SBU) Summary: On April 12, CODEL Ballenger met with
Honduran President Ricardo Maduro. Issues discussed at the
meeting included Cuba, Iraq, the Central American Free Trade
Agreement (CAFTA),narcotrafficking, and
humanitarian/development assistance. Representative
Ballenger expressed U.S. gratitude for the Government of
Honduras' (GOH) steadfast support of Operation Iraqi Freedom
(OIF),the leadership the GOH has demonstrated in introducing
a UN Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) resolution on Cuba,
and Honduran efforts to interdict narcotics bound for U.S.
markets. Rep. Ballenger assured Maduro, who has been under
intense political pressure for the GOH's positions on these
issues, that Honduras' support has been noted in Washington.
Rep. Ballenger also told Maduro that he would lead an effort
in the U.S. Congress to win ratification of CAFTA this year.
Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission, USAID Director,
HIRC/WHEM staff officer, and PolMilOff also attended the
meeting. End Summary.

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Cuba
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2. (C) Rep. Ballenger thanked President Maduro for
introducing a UNCHR resolution on Cuba, noting that the U.S.
stands ready to assist the GOH in support of the resolution.
Maduro acknowledged that the GOH's position on human rights
in Cuba was unpopular among some "left-leaning" elements in
Honduran society, but he said it was a principled decision
based on Honduras' unwavering support for democracy and
freedom of expression. Maduro noted, however, that Honduras'
relationship with Cuba remains delicate. The presence of
Cuban doctors in Honduras, Honduran medical students in Cuba,
the relatively recent restoration of diplomatic relations,
and the GOH's effort to sign a maritime boundary with the
Government of Cuba (GOC) all complicate the GOH's efforts to
take a tough stand on Cuba. Maduro assured Rep. Ballenger,
however, that the GOH would not back down on supporting human
rights and democracy in Cuba. (Note: After the GOH
introduced the UNCHR resolution, the GOC announced a
suspension of the maritime boundary negotiations, which were
reportedly near completion. End Note)


3. (C) Ambassador informed Maduro that Embassy information
indicates the GOC intends to launch a smear campaign against
the GOH's UNCHR resolution, to include personal attacks
against Maduro. Maduro stated that he remains deeply
concerned/suspicious about Cuba's presence in Honduras and
the GOC's agenda here. He reiterated that restoring
diplomatic relations with Cuba was a "gift" inherited from
his predecessor, and not to his liking. He also indicated
that he would seek to limit the number of Cuban doctors in
Honduras in the future. Maduro did acknowledge that the GOH
could have prepared better for the public relations and
political campaign necessary to win the Honduran public's
support for the resolution. In response to an inquiry from
Maduro, Ambassador indicated the U.S. is prepared to provide
speakers and other assistance, if requested, in support of
the GOH's stand on human rights in Cuba.

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Iraq
--------------


4. (C) Rep. Ballenger thanked Maduro for the GOH's commitment
to OIF and strong support of the Coalition's goals, in spite
of continued violence in Iraq. Rep. Ballenger told Maduro
the U.S. recognizes the difficulties Maduro faces in
sustaining Task Force Xatruch in Iraq and that we are
grateful for Honduras' support. Maduro again reiterated that
Honduras' presence in Iraq is based on principle, apart from
supporting its most important ally. Maduro did not, however,
respond directly to Rep. Ballenger when the Chairman noted
that the GOH has stated that it will recall its troops from
Iraq at the end of its one-year commitment this July.
(Comment: Per ref A, Embassy believes the GOH remains open to
continuing a Honduran presence in Iraq, although it may
require a concerted U.S. effort to convince Maduro and his
party's congressional leadership to keep Honduran troops
there. Minister of Defense Federico Breve, who has been a
key supporter of the deployment, has been somewhat jolted by
the recent violence in Najaf where the Honduran task force is
stationed. He, and other National Party members, fear
potential Honduran casualties and the negative political
repercussions that would certainly follow. Nonetheless,
Maduro's oft-repeated comments about supporting OIF as a
matter of principle help keep alive the possibility of
extending Honduras' presence. End Comment.)

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CAFTA
--------------


5. (SBU) Rep. Ballenger told Maduro that he stands ready to
push for CAFTA ratification in the U.S. Congress, while also
commending the GOH for moving ahead with the agreement. He
indicated that if Honduras and the other Central American
participants were able to pass CAFTA in their respective
legislatures, it would make it easier for him to push for
passage of the agreement in Congress in November. Maduro
thanked Ballenger for his support and stated that he is
"positive" that the Honduran National Congress will pass
CAFTA. Maduro said that the Central American participants
will probably introduce CAFTA legislation in their
legislatures on the same day in a display of Central American
solidarity. He also offered to travel to Washington with the
other Central American presidents to lobby for CAFTA support.


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Narcotrafficking
--------------


6. (C) Rep. Ballenger congratulated Honduras for its recent
successes in interdicting illicit narcotics en route to U.S.
markets (ref B). Maduro stated that combating drug
trafficking remains one of the region's top priorities.
Maduro once more raised his concern over narco-corruption in
the Honduran political and economic system, commenting that
Honduran political and economic institutions remain
relatively weak and vulnerable. He also referred to the
existing "no shoot-down" policies for intruding
drug-trafficking aircraft. Maduro claimed that Honduras'
current policy of making contact with intruding aircraft and
then "handing" them off to neighbors was both
counterintuitive and not cost effective. Rep. Ballenger
acknowledged the limitations placed on Honduras by U.S.
information sharing policy and told Maduro he would look for
ways to further assist the GOH financially for their efforts.

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Economic and Development Assistance
--------------


7. (SBU) Rep. Ballenger told Maduro that the U.S. will be
rejoining the International Coffee Organization (ICO) and
noted that he hopes for a stabilization of world coffee
prices that will deliver a "fair" price for quality coffee
producers. Rep. Ballenger raised the prospect that Honduras
could possibly qualify for the first round of aid recipients
under the new Millennium Challenge Account. Maduro said he
hoped Honduras would be among the first recipients and that
the aid would be very useful in his efforts to sustain
economic growth, reduce poverty, and lower chronic
unemployment. Rep. Ballenger also informed Maduro of his
assistance with building schools in rural northern Honduras
and in donating used school equipment to needy Honduran
communities.
PALMER