SOTO CANO DUAL USE DISCUSSIONS: WE ARE ALL IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 001678

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2017
TAGS: MARR MASS MCAP MOPS PBTS PGOV PINR PINS PNAT
PREL, HO
SUBJECT: SOTO CANO DUAL USE DISCUSSIONS: WE ARE ALL IN
AGREEMENT

Classified By: Ambassador Charles Ford, Reason 1.4 (b and d)


1. (C) Summary: On October 18, U.S. and Honduran delegations
met to discuss possible future commercial use of the air
strip at Soto Cano airbase at Palmerola. The discussions
were cordial and productive. The USG recognized the
sovereign right of the GOH to use the strip for commercial
purposes, both parties underscored their mutual interests in
maintaining a U.S. military presence at Soto Cano, and we
discussed security and protection requirements plus required
costs associated with commercializing the strip. The parties
agreed that the only way to commercialize the strip would be
to divide the base down the middle of the runway and create
separate military and civilian sides. The Hondurans stated
that there is no need for further discussions until they can
conclude cost feasibility studies. The Minister of Defense
(MOD) and the Chief of Defense (CHOD) both stated they would
be reporting back to Honduran President Manuel "Mel" Zelaya
with their conclusions. End Summary.


2. (SBU) On October 18, post participated in discussions with
the GOH on possible commercial use of the air strip at Soto
Cano air base at Palmerola. The USG was represented by the
DCM, PolCouns, Econ off, DAO, Milgrp, and Joint Task Force
Bravo. The Hondurans were represented by General Romeo
Vazquez Velazquez (CHOD),General Venacio Cervantes Suazo
(Head of the Honduran Air Force),and Gabriela Membreno and
Juan Alberto Lara of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (fairly
low-level representatives). Minister of Defense Aristides
Mejia joined the meeting at the conclusion. The discussions
were extremely cordial and all parties came to the same
conclusions. The USG recognized the sovereign right of the
GOH to use the strip for commercial purposes, both the GOH
and USG underscored their mutual interests in maintaining a
U.S. military presence at Soto Cano, and we discussed
security and protection requirements plus required costs
associated with commercializing the strip.


3. (C) Following cordial greetings, JTF-B Deputy Commander
Larry Ott gave a presentation on the services that JTF-B
currently provides to the Honduran Armed Forces (HOAF) and
the Honduran Air Force Academy, which includes water and
sewage treatment, electricity, runway maintenance and
operations, control tower support, perimeter security, fire
and emergency services, etc. Ott explained that U.S law does
not allow the Department of Defense to provide these services
to commercial or civilian entities, even for monetary
reimbursement. Ott explained that the only viable option for
commercialization was by dividing the base down the runway to
create two distinct areas: the east for military use and the
west for commercial. This solution would require the
Hondurans to acquire land currently used for agricultural
purposes, plus build a road to connect the civilian side to
the main road (CA-5) to Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula. The
GOH would also have to install its own electrical and water
sources, build fences, provide security, and purchase ramps
and other equipment. Runway maintenance and fire, emergency,
and other services JTF-B currently provides would also have
to be discussed in the future.


4. (C) General Cervantes, head of the Honduran Air Force,
then made a presentation on behalf of the HOAF, which
included the reasons for wanting to commercialize the air
strip. Cervantes noted that the area is conveniently
centrally located, the population is growing, and maquilas
and other international industries are beginning to locate in
the region. They expressed a desire to try to help the
area's economy grow, and noted increased pressure from
businesses and residents. Comment: As an aside, the CHOD
told PolCouns that President Manuel "Mel" Zelaya, and all
presidential candidates are forced to give their opinions on
commercialization of the air strip at Soto Cano during their
presidential campaigns, and Zelaya is now looking to at least

look like he is responding to his promises and their current
pressure. End Comment. Cervantes then agreed with the JTF-B
conclusion that the only way to successfully mix military and
commercial use would be to split the facilities at the runway
and keep civilian usage on the west side. He said that in
order to mix military and civilian usage on the east side of
the base, all the buildings would have to be razed in order
to meet code requirements for a civilian facility, and those
costs would be exorbitant.


5. (C) The CHOD then asked Cervantes what requirements would
have to be met to have some commercial cargo flights use the
air strip in the short term. The CHOD referred to a small
number of commercial cargo flights that had used the strip in
the past. Cervantes replied that civilian tower facilities
would need to be constructed because the facilities that were
used approximately fifteen years ago no longer exist.
Cervantes also noted that this construction would be greatly
inhibited by the fact that a company called "InterAirports"
currently has an iron-clad twenty-year concession to build
all airport facilities. The CHOD suggested that a small
warehouse might be built near the Academy to support these
flights, but following the meetings, he agreed that this
facility would be much easier to operate if it were to be
located off premises.


6. (C) The MFA representatives then asked a few questions
regarding the operations, since neither had ever visited Soto
Cano air base. They agreed with both JTF-B and Cervantes
that it made no sense to try to co-mingle both civilian and
military usage on the east side.


7. (C) In conclusion, the CHOD stated that the most important
result of the meeting was that the USG is agreeable to the
commercialization of the air strip. It is now up to the
Hondurans, he said, to see if it is cost effective. The CHOD
said he would be writing up a summary of this meeting to
present it to President Zelaya, and that at this point there
would be no need for any further discussions until the GOH
had made its economic feasibility study. The MOD then joined
the meeting, was briefed, and agreed with the CHOD's
conclusions. He said he would be reporting directly to the
President later in day.


8. (C) Comments: Following the meeting, the Honduran
delegation privately assured the members of the U.S.
delegation that they agreed completely with the USG that
commercialization could only be realized if the base were to
be split down the runway and the military and civilian areas
wee completely separated. They told us that they ha been
forced to call hese discussions simply beause of political
pressures. At this point, theDAO told the CHOD that the
U.S. military might be amenable to allowing a few
intermittent commercial cargo flights to arrive at the base,
which could be unloaded and transported to off-base storage
facilities. With no direct costs incurred by the USG (such
as fuel, water, electricity) and security concerns minimized,
this could be a temporary political win. The CHOD was
greatly appreciative of this offer and promised to pass the
message to the MOD. End Comment.
FORD