HONDURAS CONFIRMS COMMITTMENT TO CONTROL AND

S E C R E T TEGUCIGALPA 000948 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2018 TAGS: HO MASS MCAP PARM SUBJECT: HONDURAS CONFIRMS COMMITTMENT TO CONTROL AND DESTRUCTION OF U.S.-SUPPLIED WEAPONS REF: A. SECSTATE 105491 ¶B. USDAO TEGUCIGALPA IIR 6 841 0151 08 ¶C. USDAO TEGUCIGALPA IIR 6 841 0144 08 ¶D. USDAO TEGUCIGALPA IIR 6 841 0143 08 ¶E. USDAO TEGUCIGALPA IIR 6 841 0140 08 ¶F. USDAO TEGUCIGALPA IIR 6 841 0141 08 ¶G. USDAO TEGUCIGALPA IIR 6 841 0142 08 Classified By: Ambassador Hugo Llorens, reasons 1.4 (b & d) ¶1. (S) PolCouns and Defense Attache delivered ref a demarche to Minister of Defense (MOD) Aristides Mejia on October 15. (Note: Mejia and the Chief of Defense Romeo Vasquez Velasquez have discussed lax weapon control, including the cases cited in reftel, which they were well aware of, with various Emboffs on several occasions in the near past. End Note.) Mejia confirmed the GOH's commitment to re-transfer, end-use and security obligations with respect to defense articles or defense services sold or granted by the USG. Mejia noted that many weapons had been destroyed in accordance with accepted procedures in 2007, and that controls were being increased at many of the storage sites. He agreed, however, that control and security could still be improved. Mejia said the investigation into the arms that had been found in Mexico and Colombia (San Andres) was continuing, and promised to keep us informed of any developments in the investigation. Mejia appreciated our offer of support for destruction and stockpile management. PolCouns explained that the best way to tap into this offer would be to draft an official request for assistance. ¶2. (S) Comment: MOD officials have been extremely cooperative in regards to the issue of control and destruction of weapons in the past, and the MOD has expressed his willingness to support destruction and stricter controls. MOD officials allowed a Chuckwagon team extensive access during a visit in July (ref b - g),and we expect that after consultation with his staff, we should receive an official request for assistance from Mejia. End Comment. LLORENS