VIRTUAL CONSULATE SAN PEDRO SULA

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002430

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CEN, WHA/PDA - M. CONNERS, IRM/BPC - T.
Niblock

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AINF AINT AMGT CMGT OIIP KRIM KGIT APER PREL AFSI KWWW KPAO AADP HO
SUBJECT: VIRTUAL CONSULATE SAN PEDRO SULA

REF: 04 State 203909


1. Per the reference and in accordance with 2 FAM 131,
Post has initiated planning efforts to establish a Virtual
Presence Post, to be called United States Virtual
Consulate San Pedro Sula (VC SPS). It is anticipated that
in February 2006, the Chief of Mission will formally
launch VC SPS as part of a larger Embassy on the Road
event. Four to eight weeks later, the website
(sanpedrosula.usvpp.gov) should be operational.


2. The primary goal of VC SPS is to broaden and deepen
the engagement of the United States in the city of San
Pedro Sula and the Department of Cortes. This will be
accomplished through a creative mix of traditional
diplomacy (i.e., regular visits, media outreach, &
assistance programs) and new diplomacy techniques (a
branded Website, a VC SPS City Team, digital video
conferencing, chat sessions, etc.) to develop improved
contacts and relationships with the target audiences in
San Pedro Sula.


3. San Pedro Sula is the second largest city in Honduras
and the business capital. Furthermore, CAFTA will likely
enhance the relative importance of the city both within
the country and to the United States. These facts make
San Pedro Sula evermore relevant to the Mission and make
it an imperative that we engage more effectively with non-
traditional and target audiences.


4. Point of Contact is Bernt Johnson by email at
johnsonbb@state.gov or by phone at IVG 539-4937, 011-504-
2136-9320, ext. 4937.

Ford