HONDURAS: TERRORISM FINANCE COORDINATOR OFFICER

S E C R E T TEGUCIGALPA 002179 SIPDIS NOFORN STATE FOR S/CT, INL/C, IO/PHO, WAH/EPSC, AND WHA/CEN TREASURY FOR OFAC E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2015 TAGS: KTFN KVPR EFIN PTER ETTC PREL HO SUBJECT: HONDURAS: TERRORISM FINANCE COORDINATOR OFFICER (TFCO) INFORMATION REF: A. STATE 175637 ¶B. TEGUCIGALPA 498 Classified By: Classified by EconChief PDunn for reasons 1.5, b and d ¶1. (U) Post provides the following information in response to ref A. Terrorism Finance Coordination Officer for Tegucigalpa is DCM James Williard, phone (504) 236 9320 x4768, unclassified e-mail WilliardJG@state.gov, classified e-mail WilliardJG@state.sgov.gov. TFCO Deputy is Econ Officer Martin Healy, phone (504) 236 9320 x4060, unclassified e-mail HealyMP@state.gov, classified e-mail SIPDIS HealyMP@state.sgov.gov. Neither has received any training specific to the combating of terrorist financing. ¶2. (S) Embassy Tegucigalpa holds a regular weekly meeting to discuss political, military, law enforcement, and counter-terrorism issues. The meeting is chaired by the Ambassador and attended by the DCM, Political officers, the INL Law Enforcement Advisor, the EconOff who also serves as TFCO deputy, the Consul General, DEA, RSO, POL, PAS, DAO, DHS/ICE, TAT, MilGroup, and other sections/agencies. This meeting is Post's primary regular venue to discuss security issues and criminal activity such as drug trafficking and financial crimes, including possible terrorist financing. The consular section also uses this weekly meeting as the venue to hold its monthly Visas Viper Committee meetings. ¶3. (SBU) Honduran co-operation on counter-terrorism finance has been and continues to be strong. In response to amended U.S. Executive Order lists, the Honduran Banking and Insurance Commission promptly distributes freeze orders to the entire regulated financial sector. The financial sector, particularly the commercial banks, promptly undertakes the requested searches for accounts by terrorist entities. As outlined in previous reporting (ref B),no terrorist-related funds have been found to date in the Honduran financial system. ¶4. (U) Post remains actively engaged with the GOH in the fight against money laundering and financial crimes. A newly created GOH commission, CIPLAFT (Interagency Commission for the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism),continues to work closely with Post and Department of Treasury officials to identify issues and develop coordinated policies in the fight against money laundering and financial crimes. Williard