HEAD OF STATE-LEVEL DEMARCHE UNGA VOTING

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000965 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UNGA SUBJECT: HEAD OF STATE-LEVEL DEMARCHE UNGA VOTING REF: SECSTATE 105131 ¶1. (U) On October 17 the Ambassador discussed Honduras' UNGA voting record with President Zelaya. The Ambassador delivered reftel talking points. President Zelaya was not aware of the fact that Honduras' voting record in the UN was so little supportive of US positions. He agreed we needed to look for ways to cooperate better in the UN and he suggested that I discuss the matter in detail with the Foreign Minister. ¶2. (U) On October 21 the Ambassador followed up the issue in a meeting with Foreign Minister Orellana. In response to reftel points Orellana also said he was greatly surprised by Honduras' voting record which was only congruent with US votes 13.9% of the time. He did say as a former Honduran Ambassador to the UN that part of the problem is the Honduran Ministry of Foreign Affairs traditionally provided very little oversight to the Honduran UN mission. The result was that the UN Ambassador had relative freedom in deciding what position Honduras took on different issues. Orellana said he agreed that there needs to be greater coordination between the US and Honduras in the UN. He said he was interested in knowing what issues would be coming up for a vote in the coming months that were important to the US and he would see if Honduras could be more helpful. ¶3. (U) In an effort to help Orellana understand the details the Ambassador provided him with a copy of Honduras' voting record on all the issues that came up for vote on the last General Assembly. Both the Ambassador and the Foreign Minister agreed to stay in close touch on important upcoming issues and votes in the UN General Assembly. LLORENS