HEAD OF STATE-LEVEL JOINT DEMARCHE - US BRAZIL

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001019 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ENVI ENRG SUBJECT: HEAD OF STATE-LEVEL JOINT DEMARCHE - US BRAZIL BIOFUELS ASSISTANCE REF: SECSTATE 113530 ¶1. (U) On November 13, Ambassador and Brazilian Ambassador briefed Acting Foreign Minister Eduardo Rosales on the U.S.- Brazil Biofuels Partnership and informed him of our interest in including Honduras in the third country facilitation program. Rosales said that the government of President Zelaya was a strong supporter of the development of clean sources of energy and said Honduras greatly appreciated being included in this initiative. With regards to participation in the Sao Paolo meeting next week, Rosales said that Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Tomas Vaquero was the likely Honduran representative. He added that Honduras would also consider the participation of a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as a private sector representative. ¶2. (U) Rosales said Honduras was keen on developing its biofuels production particularly using palm oil, which was widely cultivated in the country, but also sugar and other sources. He noted that Honduras was opposed to the domestic use of corn, which is a traditional food staple, for the production of fuel. LLORENS