CURRENT DIALOGUE WITH TAIWANESE REPS IN HONDURAS

S E C R E T TEGUCIGALPA 001691 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA, WHA/CEN, EAP/TC, AND EAP/CM E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/12/2030 TAGS: PREL ECON ETRD ETTC PHUM TW CH HO SUBJECT: CURRENT DIALOGUE WITH TAIWANESE REPS IN HONDURAS LIMITED BUT COULD BE EXPANDED TO COVER PRC ACTIVITIES REF: STATE 143649 Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Paul Tuebner; Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d) ¶1. (S) In response to reftel, here are Post's answers: - The Embassy currently has mainly limited contact with Taiwanese representatives, usually friendly interaction at events where the diplomatic corps is invited to attend. Taiwanese Ambassador You Tien-der is a regular attendee of these events. Post notes Taiwan is a generous donor to Honduras. The Taiwanese Defense Attache is active in the Defense Attache Association in Honduras, as is the DATT. - Given the limited nature of the current dialogue, Post is unsure to what extent a dialogue could be established on PRC activities in Honduras. - Post believes establishing a dialogue with Taiwanese representatives on Chinese activities, if successful, might prove worthwhile. Post notes that seeking such a dialogue would likely send a signal to the Taiwanese, especially with the recent ratification of CAFTA and the explicit linkages of CAFTA to the perceived "China threat" to Honduran exports in light manufacturing, especially textiles/apparel. Williard