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