ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the relationship between United States policy toward Central America and Honduran civil-military relations. During 1982, Honduras joined the expanding list of Central American states that are major foreign policy preoccupations of the United States. Honduras joins the list not because of a significant internal revolutionary challenge or because of a persistent and deepening trend in the violation of human rights, or indeed because it is the poorest country in continental Latin America. From a regional standpoint, Honduras plays a critical role in the United States effort to contain revolution. A greater sense of confidence in Honduras of the government's ability to control its frontiers is key to regional stability. It is important that Honduras not be used as a conduit for the infiltration of men and arms to feed conflicts in neighboring countries. Honduras must also feel secure if it is to resolve its longstanding dispute with El Salvador.
