EMBASSY AND ZELAYA TRANSITION TEAM PREPARE FOR

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002519 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA, WHA/PPC, AND WHA/CEN STATE FOR EB AND INL NSC FOR DAN FISK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM ECON KJUS PINR HO SUBJECT: EMBASSY AND ZELAYA TRANSITION TEAM PREPARE FOR CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIP; JANUARY CABINET MEETING PLANNED REF: TEGUCIGALPA 2517 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Ambassador, DCM, PolChief and EconChief met December 14 with key members of the transition team/new cabinet of President-elect Jose Manuel "Mel" Zelaya, led by Hugo Noe Pino, the head of the transition and future Minister of Finance. Noe Pino confirmed that Zelaya had postponed a planned trip to Washington until after the January 27 inauguration. Jimenez requested the highest-ranking possible USG delegation to the inauguration. The Embassy Country Team and the Zelaya Cabinet and key officials will meet again for briefings/dinner around January 12. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Ambassador, DCM, PolChief and EconChief met December 14 with key members of the transition team/new cabinet of President-elect Jose Manuel "Mel" Zelaya. Representing Zelaya was Hugo Noe Pino, the head of the transition and future Minister of Finance, future Minister of Foreign Affairs Milton Jimenez, future Minister of Agriculture Hector Hernandez, and future Vice President of the Central Bank Edwin Araque. ¶3. (U) Noe Pino confirmed that the presidential inauguration will be held January 27 in Tegucigalpa at the main soccer stadium. Jimenez emphasized that the Zelaya team was seeking the highest possible level of governmental representation at the inauguration to help instill confidence in the new government after the disputed election that did not end until Zelaya's opponent, Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo, conceded 10 days after the election. Ambassador noted that the USG delegation was still being determined. The Zelaya transition team informed Post later that they have not yet determined how many seats will be set aside for diplomatic delegations. On January 25, the new congressional leadership, likely to be led by Roberto Micheletti as the new President of Congress, will be installed. ¶4. (SBU) Noe Pino confirmed Zelaya's December 12 comments to the Ambassador that Zelaya has postponed his plans for an official visit to Washington, DC until after he is inaugurated. In addition to a hoped-for meeting with President Bush, Zelaya and his team would like to meet with key Executive Branch officials and key members of Congress/Senators and their staff. 
 ¶5. (SBU) Noe Pino underlined that the Zelaya cabinet was not yet complete, with several key ministries (Commerce and Industry, Defense, etc.) still to be finalized. His office later faxed the Embassy the current official cabinet list, which Post has e-mailed to WHA/CEN. ¶6. (SBU) Jimenez made clear that the Zelaya Administration wants to have a close bilateral relationship, which he said was fundamental for Honduras. The future FM said that the GOH under Zelaya would conduct pragmatic foreign relations, and always keep focus on the U.S.-Honduran bilateral relationship. He emphasized the importance of transparency and anti-corruption efforts, noting that attracting foreign investment is critical. ¶7. (SBU) Hernandez, who plans a trip to Washington o/a January 12 to discuss agricultural issues, highlighted agriculture/natural resources as key, noting that poverty reduction and economic growth are fundamental goals of the Zelaya Administration. Araque outlined key aspects of economic policy, including continued macroeconomic stability, stabilization of interest rates, and a strengthening of the financial system. ¶8. (SBU) Noe Pino said that enormous challenges lay ahead for the Zelaya Administration, including the issue of teacher's pay and benefits which he said would require great skill to manage. He said that the Zelaya team had the political will to do the best possible on transparency and would have strong support for the poverty reduction strategy. He noted the importance of CAFTA and MCC. Noe Pino thanked the Ambassador for the Embassy's support for peaceful dialogue to resolve the protracted election dispute. ¶9. (SBU) Ambassador noted that the Embassy sought to work closely and productively with the Zelaya Administration, aiming to work things out in private to avoid public confrontations if possible. The USG sought to boost the institutions critical to a democratic capitalist country, institutions that are often weak or lacking in Honduras. He also emphasized the importance of retaining technical employees when the Liberals take over the ministries/government agencies, rather than treating these key positions as merely patronage jobs. Loss of these highly skilled individuals could set back structural reform efforts in Honduras by years. The Ambassador outlined the three overarching themes of USG interest in Honduras as: - good governance/rule of law - regional stability/security (including transnational crime) - economic growth/poverty reduction ¶10. (SBU) Both Noe Pino and Jimenez commented that the three areas were very similar to the Zelaya Administration's areas of emphasis. Jimenez said that personnel changes in the GOH should not reach below the level of director, and that there will not be sweeping changes at the technical/career level. Noe Pino concurred with Jimenez's comments. ¶11. (SBU) Ambassador suggested a joint meeting of the Country Team with the Zelaya Cabinet and other key officials one afternoon the week of January 9 at the Embassy. The plan would be for an initial session involving everyone, with a brief overview of USG efforts in Honduras, followed by working groups meetings on the three themes outlined in paragraph 9. The Embassy sections/agencies would deliver brief presentations about USG programs in Honduras with a give and take session to follow between USG and Honduran officials on areas of mutual cooperation and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The groups would then come back together for drinks and then a dinner. Noe Pino and his team enthusiastically accepted the invitation, with a tentative date of the afternoon of January 12. ¶12. (SBU) EmbOffs and the Zelaya team also discussed CAFTA implementation legislation and possible Immigration reform, with Jimenez stating that the passport issuance function would be transferred out of the Government and Justice Ministry and back to the MFA under Zelaya. Noe Pino said that any possible Immigration reform legislation would not likely be considered until after the new Congress is sworn in on January 25. ¶13. (SBU) Noe Pino expressed concern that outgoing GOH officials would seek in the waning days of this administration to sign lucrative contracts in which they have a personal interest. He fears such contracts and commitments that would unnecessarily tie the hands of the incoming Zelaya Administration, and requested that the Embassy make the same point to the current GOH. (Comment: This is a delicate matter. Post recognizes that previous outgoing governments have abused their positions in precisely this manner, awarding themselves sweetheart deals on the way out the door. Post continues to advocate for transparent and fair contract processes, and for a vigorous anti-corruption effort. That said, it is also true that a number of legitimate contracts remain to be approved by Congress, with scant days left in which to do so. Separating the wheat from the chaff will be a challenge for both Post and for the GOH. End comment.) ¶14. (SBU) Comment: The meeting was an excellent beginning to more Country Team-Zelaya Cabinet transition meetings, and Post is optimistic that this will help set the tone for a productive working relationship. The level of receptiveness of the Zelaya team to working closely with the Embassy is extremely high and Post hopes further meetings will deepen the bilateral understanding and commitment to working toward joint goals. Post notes that Vice President-elect Elvin Santos led several future Zelaya cabinet ministers at a lunch at the Ambassador's residence on December 15 to discuss customs and immigration issues with visiting DHS Assistant Customs Commissioner Keith Thomson and EmbOffs. Post strongly requests a high-level USG delegation to the inauguration, ideally led by Secretary of State Rice or Secretary of Commerce Gutierrez. End Comment. SIPDIS Ford