HONDURAS NOT SURE IT WANTS A PIECE OF UN

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001548 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR PM, IO, WHA/PPC, AND WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KUNR KPKO HO UNSC UNGA ECOSOC SUBJECT: HONDURAS NOT SURE IT WANTS A PIECE OF UN PEACEBUILDING COMMISSION REF: A. SECSTATE 130530 ¶B. TEGUCIGALPA 1377 AND PREVIOUS (SBU) Acting POL Chief demarched MFA Acting Director General (A/DG) of Foreign Relations Alan Javier Oviedo Garcia July 19 and delivered talking points (ref A) on the proposed UN Peacebuilding Commission. PolOff and Oviedo had previously discussed the UN Peacebuilding Commission issue during a June 23 demarche (ref B). In the previous demarche, Oviedo had expressed concerns about the UN Peacebuilding Commission. He demonstrated concern for the reaction of other countries, including a specific mention of Cuba, who might think the Commission would be too interventionist. Oviedo stated that the Government of Honduras (GOH) might have a problem with this initiative because it might appear as if Honduras was interfering in the affairs of other countries. Oviedo inquired if the U.S. had asked other countries to join this movement. Oviedo also reiterated that some countries might see this commission as a way to remove power from smaller countries and increase U.S. influence within the UN. He said that the GOH would need to review the demarche and would inform the Embassy of their decision in the future. Tuebner