Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
05TEGUCIGALPA2092 | 2005-10-11 14:48:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Tegucigalpa |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. |
UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002092 |
1. This is an action cable for IO/UNESCO and IO/T. Please see paragraph 4. 2. PolChief delivered ref A letter from Secretary Rice (under cover letter from the Charge) and demarche/non-paper on the UNESCO Convention on Cultural Expressions to Acting Foreign Minister Juan Alberto Lara Bueso the morning of October 7. The demarche was a follow-up of PolChief's September 26 demarche of ref C to Acting FM Lara Bueso on the same issue (see ref B). The Acting FM had no immediate substantive response, but told PolChief that Minister of Education Roberto Martinez would be leading the Honduran delegation to UNESCO, and that the delegation would also include Vice Minister of Culture Jose Funez and the Honduran UNESCO PermRep Juan Benana in Paris. He suggested that the Embassy fax copies of the Secretary's letter to these three, which Post did the afternoon of October 7. (EconChief is also sharing a copy of the letter with the Minister of Industry and Commerce.) Post suggests that the US Mission to UNESCO also approach the Honduran UNESCO PermRep to discuss USG concerns with the UNESCO Convention. 3. The Acting FM also asked about the GOH's proposed vote swap involving the U.S UNESCO candidacy. PolChief said that in general the USG does not commit itself in advance to voting for particular candidates for elections to international organizations, but noted that Post had yet to receive specific guidance to the GOH's request and that Post would ask again for guidance. (Note: On July 12 Post sent ref E diplomatic note requesting GOH support for the USG candidacy for the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO. Post received vague responses each time the issue was mentioned to the MFA until September 5, when Post received a diplomatic note from the Honduran Foreign Ministry requesting USG support for the Honduran candidate to the UN International Law Commission during elections this fall at UNGA, in return for Honduran support for the U.S. candidacy for the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Paris in October. The Honduran candidate for the UN Commission on International Law (2007-11) is Carlos Lopez Contreras. He was the VP candidate for Mayor of Tegucigalpa Miguel Pastor's unsuccessful National Party primary campaign for the presidential nomination back in February. Lopez Contreras is a former Foreign Minister and current Honduran representative for border issues under consideration at the at International Court of Justice at The Hague. Post relayed this request and asked for guidance in ref D. End Note.) 4. Action request for IO/UNESCO and IO/T: Post requests guidance on Post's response to the Honduran proposed vote swap discussed in pgh 3 and ref D. Williard |