Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05TEGUCIGALPA366
2005-02-15 13:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Cable title:  

HONDURAS: POST SUPPORTS CUSTOMS SERVICE REQUEST

Tags:  EFIN ECON KCOR ETRD PGOV PINR KMCA KJUS HO 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000366 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/IFD, WHA/EPSC, AND WHA/CEN
TREASURY FOR DDOUGLASS, RWARFIELD
STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAM

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN ECON KCOR ETRD PGOV PINR KMCA KJUS HO
SUBJECT: HONDURAS: POST SUPPORTS CUSTOMS SERVICE REQUEST
FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO IMPLEMENT CAFTA, FIGHT
CORRUPTION


UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000366

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/IFD, WHA/EPSC, AND WHA/CEN
TREASURY FOR DDOUGLASS, RWARFIELD
STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAM

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN ECON KCOR ETRD PGOV PINR KMCA KJUS HO
SUBJECT: HONDURAS: POST SUPPORTS CUSTOMS SERVICE REQUEST
FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO IMPLEMENT CAFTA, FIGHT
CORRUPTION



1. This is an action request; please see para 3.


2. On February 10, Post received a written request, dated
January 31, 2005, from Customs Director Arquimedez Jimenez
for technical assistance to improve various facets of the
Honduran Customs Service. Jimenez specifically cites CAFTA
implementation and anti-corruption as key motives for his
request. In addition, the U.S. Treasury Office of Technical
Assistance is engaged with the Honduran tax authority (the
DEI, home also to the Customs Service) in an overall
reorganization and improvement program. Jimenez's technical
assistance request would help him to take maximum advantage
of this reorganization to improve customs efficiency and to
reduce evasion, fraud, and corruption. An informal
translation of his request follows in para 4.


3. Action request and comment: Post requests that
appropriate agencies, including but not limited to State,
Treasury, USTR, DHS, and USAID give full consideration to
Jimenez's request, with a view toward identifying resources
and providing appropriate technical assistance as soon as
possible. This request is timely, as it leverages existing
momentum within the GOH to reform and restructure the Customs
and Tax services. Assistance of the kind identified in
Jimenez's request would facilitate CAFTA implementation and
assist in cracking down on corruption -- each of which has
been identified as a top priority for U.S. foreign policy in
Honduras. Improving the Honduran Customs Service's capacity
to analyze trends, derive intelligence, and manage risk also
directly supports key USG efforts to combat the flow of
illicit drugs, fight money laundering and the financing of
criminal or terrorist groups (both through over/under
invoicing and smuggling activities),and improve the overall
security and safety of maritime traffic. Improving customs
service responsiveness and accountability falls clearly
within the original intent of the USG's Trade Capacity
Building program, and Post strongly supports identification
of TCB funds to provide the requested TA as soon as possible.
Given its immediate benefit to law enforcement operations,
Post encourages agencies with funds for border security
enhancement to consider how they too could facilitate or
support the requested training.


4. Informal translation of January 31 letter:

Begin text.

((Complimentary opening))

The Executive Revenue Directorate, aware of its
responsibilities and obligations, as well as the benefits
that subscribing to the U.S.-Central American Free Trade
Agreement (CAFTA) would bring to our country, under the
obligation to seek out mechanisms that would permit the
implementation of that Agreement and the facilitation of
trade with dynamic customs controls, and with the goal of
improving our knowledge and capacity in this regard;
therefore allow me to request of the U.S. Embassy ... that
you provide to the employees and officers of this institution
training in regards to those subjects referred to in CAFTA,
specifically in the areas of:

- Risk Management
- Rules of Origin
- Electronic Certification of Origin
- Procedures to speed-up express delivery
- Customs Audits and Verification
- Other trade facilitation measures
- Measures to combat contraband and customs fraud

((Complimentary close))

End text.

Pierce
Pierce