HONDURAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH DHS DEPSEC JACKSON AND CODEL

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000701

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

SOUTHCOM FOR ADMIRAL STRAVIDIS
STATE FOR WHA, WHA/CEN, WHA/PPC, H, PM, AND INL
HOMELAND SECURITY FOR DEPUTY SECRETARY JACKSON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM KJUS MARR MCAP MOPS OREP OVIP PGOV PREL PTER
SMIG, SNAR, HO
SUBJECT: HONDURAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH DHS DEPSEC JACKSON AND CODEL
THOMPSON


1. (SBU) Summary: President Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales expressed
a desire to increase law enforcement cooperation with the United
States, his support for CAFTA and comprehensive immigration reform
during a bilateral meeting with DHS DepSec Jackson and a CODEL
consisting of 9 members of the House Committee on Homeland Security
on April 11-12, 2007. The CODEL and DepSec used the opportunity to
present their views of security initiatives in Honduras based on
their observations of the Secure Freight Inititative (SFI) pilot
program at Puerto Cortes. Both the DepSec and the CODEL appeared
satisfied with the cooperation the GOH has given to the SFI, and
they reaffirmed the USG's desire to cooperate on security matters
and consult on immigration policy. End Summary.

PORT VISIT


2. (SBU) The CODEL/DepSecDel visit began with a two and half hour
joint program at Puerto Cortes, an SFI facility on the north coast
of Honduras. Following brief introductory remarks by the Managing
Director of the National Port Company, Edwin Araque, Chairman
Thompson, and Deputy Secretary Jackson, the group, accompanied by
the Ambassador, moved to the Central Alarm Station (CAS). In the
CAS, co-located GOH tax officials and CBP and DOE personnel monitor
data from the Radiation Portal Monitors and Non Intrusive Inspection
(gamma ray) scanners. CODEL Members closely questioned CBP briefers
and Jackson about SFI implementation. Following the CAS inspection,
the parties moved to the scanners themselves and a brief press
availability. Coverage of the visit focused on the security aspects
of SFI and its implications for Honduran/U.S. trade. Several
Members of Congress later expressed satisfaction with the level of
support and cooperation between US Customs agents and port
officials. They viewed this pilot SFI program as a success.

MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT


3. (SBU) In Tegucigalpa, the groups met jointly with President
Zelaya. Zelaya's initial remarks were followed by a joint
discussion. Topics were immigration reform, including a possible
extension of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program;
challenges facing the Honduran economy; free trade; and
narcotraffickers.


4. (SBU) Zelaya began the meeting with a wide-ranging opening
speech, and discussed a new security plan among the Central American
nations (CA-4). He emphasized that while the existence of this plan
is public, the details are not. Zelaya gave few details to the
delegation, mentioning only the desire for better communication
among CA-4 police forces to facilitate tracking and arrest of
criminals who cross CA-4 borders. Rep. Jackson-Lee asked how the US
could help Honduras in the law enforcement arena. Zelaya responded
with two items: assistance with the fight against drug trafficking
on the north coast, and with identification and reintegration of
violent deported felons. (Note: ICE/DRO already gives the GOH
notice of removals and identifies criminal deportees. ICE seeks an
agreement with the GOH that would facilitate data sharing, which
would help the GOH better identify criminals. End note.) Zelaya
also mentioned his openness to increased law enforcement information
and intelligence sharing with US authorities. It is also noteworthy
that President Zelaya acknowledged the narcotraffickers are stronger
and richer than the Honduran police.


5. (SBU) President Zelaya linked security to free trade, saying
violence must be reduced to entice investment in Honduras. He
further stated that he believes free trade will help the Honduran
economy. Zelaya specifically stated his support for CAFTA and noted
its positive economic effects will help bring Honduras out of
poverty. He noted that tourism has already started to increase and
believes this is a result of CAFTA.


6. (SBU) In response to President Zelaya's question on immigration
reform, Rep Cuellar stated the need for three items: secure borders,
a simpler temporary worker program, and a decision on the status of
the 11-13 million undocumented aliens in the US. Cuellar was
emphatic it would be a difficult process and was uncertain there
would be a concensus by this summer. Also on immigration, DepSEC
Jackson acknowledged that the US had received the GOH communique
regarding TPS and was considering the Honduran analysis, but that
the USG would respond through formal channels.


7. (SBU) Rep Lundgren asked President Zelaya if wealth disparity

and lack of education were impediments to aid programs. Zelaya put
the blame for Honduras' poor economic performance over the past
several decades squarely on the Honduran people themselves. He
blamed corruption, eminating from powerful vested labor
organizations (teacher unions, the Honduran Bar Association, the
Medical Association, etc) and the Honduran upper-class, as the prime
impediment to rapid economic development. He said that these groups
prefer to live in splendid isolation, free of competition, and have
effectively created barriers to market entry through their informal
political influence. He added that this prevents the use of capital
for the creation of growth and jobs. Zelaya also pointed out these
interest groups have no desire to pay taxes, thus leaving the
Honduran government without the resources to function effectively
and resist these groups' influence. Amazingly, Zelaya said the
Honduran Teacher's Union is stronger than the GOH.


8. (SBU) Neither the DepSec nor the CODEL had an opportunity to
clear on this cable.