HONDURAS TO WITHDRAW IMMEDIATELY TROOPS FROM IRAQ

S E C R E T TEGUCIGALPA 000893 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA, WHA/PPC, AND WHA/CEN STATE FOR PM, PM/RSAT, AND PM/PMAT E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/15/2014 TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR IZ HO SUBJECT: HONDURAS TO WITHDRAW IMMEDIATELY TROOPS FROM IRAQ REF: CJCS-CHOD APRIL 16 2004 LETTER Classified By: Political Counselor Francisco Palmieri; reasons 1.4 (a),(b),and (d). ¶1. (S) Minister of the Presidency Luis Cosenza called the Ambassador at 1700 on April 16 to advise him that he will travel to Washington on Sunday, April 18 to meet with Department of State officials on Monday, April 19, to inform the U.S. that Honduras has decided to withdraw immediately its troops from Iraq. He said that the security situation in An Najaf and isolation of their troops forced this difficult decision upon the Government of Honduras. The GOH is concerned about the safety of its troops. Reftel request for coalition partners to reconsider their rules of engagement also forced the GOH into a difficult position because the congressional authorization for the deployment of the troops did not cover combat operations. It only authorized Honduran troops to participate in and provide security for humanitarian and reconstruction activities. ¶2. (C) Comment: Cosenza was apologetic but decisive in relaying this news. He indicated that the GOH wants to explain its decision to U.S. officials before making its decision public. End Comment. ¶3. (U) Minimize considered. PALMER