MILITARY GRANT ASSISTANCE: ARTICLE 505 EXCHANGE OF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 001884

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT. FOR PM/RSAT, PM/PPA, L/T, WHA/PPC, AND WHA/CEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MASS MARR PGOV KTIA PREL HO
SUBJECT: MILITARY GRANT ASSISTANCE: ARTICLE 505 EXCHANGE OF
DIP NOTES FINALLY ACHIEVED

REF: STATE 05897


1. (SBU) On August 12, PolMilOff and MILGP Commander
briefed Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs (VMFA) Juan Alberto
Lara Bueso, a member of the Honduran Armed Forces (HOAF) -
representing both the HOAF and the Ministry of Defense
(MOD),and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Director
General of Treaties, Ivonne Bonilla, on the proposed Article
505 Amendment. The original demarche and diplomatic note
were delivered to the MFA January 20, 2005. Since that
time, the Government of Honduras (GOH) has been shuffling
questions and blame between the MFA, the MOD and the HOAF.
After Embassy personnel answered GOH questions and resolved
outstanding issues, the GOH agreed to accept the wording
changes in the amendment and to send a dip note in response
to the Embassy's dip note. The primary aspects of confusion
were the wording and reasons for the amendment. These
questions however were not relayed to the Embassy by the
GOH, until just prior to the August meeting. The diplomatic
note was signed on August 22 and received by the Embassy
August 24.


2. (U) Begin informal translation of dip note:

Verbal Note No. 169-DT

The Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of
Honduras, has the pleasure to address the Honorable Embassy
of the United States of America with reference to the Note
No. 4 dated January 20, 2005 which literally says:

"The Embassy of the United States of America presents its
compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Honduras
and, referring to the Embassy's note number 53 of May 9,
1974, together with the Ministry's note number 829-SAC of
May 15, 1975, which constitute an Agreement concerning
payment to the United States of net proceeds from the sale
or disposal of defense articles furnished on a grant basis,
proposes that the Agreement be amended.

The Agreement would be amended by replacing "under the
military assistance program of", with "on a grant basis
from" in the second paragraph.

If this proposal is acceptable to Honduras, the Embassy of
the United States proposes that this note and the Ministry's
affirmative note in reply shall constitute an agreement
between the two Governments which shall enter into force on
the date of the Ministry's reply.

The Embassy of the United States of America avails itself of
this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of the host government, the assurances of its highest
consideration.

Embassy of the United States of America.
Tegucigalpa, Honduras, January 20, 2005."

The Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of
Honduras is pleased to inform the Honorable Embassy of the
United States of America its agreement with the proposal
presented.

The notes exchanged by the Embassy and the Secretary of
Foreign Affairs will constitute henceforth the agreement
between the United States and Honduras, agreement which
shall enter into force on the date of this note.

The Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs avails itself of
this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United
States of America the assurances of its highest
consideration.

Tegucigalpa, M.D.C. August 22, 2005

SEAL

The Honorable
Embassy of the United States of America
Tegucigalpa


3. (U) End informal translation.


4. (U) Post is pouching a certified copy of the Embassy's
January 20 dip note and the original of the GOH's August 22
dip note in response under registry number 437299 to L/T.

Williard