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