NEW HONDURAN MINISTER OF GOVERNANCE AND JUSTICE

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 000304

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/31/2009
TAGS: EAID PGOV PREL SNAR HO
SUBJECT: NEW HONDURAN MINISTER OF GOVERNANCE AND JUSTICE
VICTOR MEZA

Classified By: Ambassador Charles Ford, reason 1.4 (b & d)


1. (C) Summary: Ambassador Ford paid a courtesy call on the
new head of the Ministry of Governance and Justice (MGJ),
Victor Meza, on March 14. Meza indicated that his
appointment as the only "independent" minister was a signal
of the Zelaya administration's intention to depart radically
from the usual way of doing business. He further indicated
that the Zelaya Government had prioritized decentralization
for its final two years, and that civil society (where Meza's
professional roots lie) would be an important partner of the
Ministry. Meza described the challenges he is facing at the
Ministry, including reestablishing internal leadership,
coordination with other ministries, and investigating
procurement irregularities and suspected corruption at the
Head Office of Migration and Foreigners. Additional concerns
expressed by Meza were the increase in visas issued to Cubans
by the Honduran Embassy in Havana, the lack of a national
security policy, and the consistent emigration of Honduras'
best and brightest. End summary.

A new way of doing business
--------------


2. (C) On March 14, Ambassador Ford, Acting USAID Director,
and USAID DG Director paid a courtesy call on Victor Meza,
the new Minister of Governance and Justice. Prior to his
appointment as minister, Meza was a political analyst and
head of the Honduran Document Center (CEDOH),a non-profit
organization that analyzes and documents issues and trends in
Honduras. (Comment: Post also has information that he was
involved in political activism, including labor union
movements. End comment.) In the meeting, Meza highlighted his
civil society, rather than political, origins and his status
as the only "independent" minister (meaning he is not
publicly affiliated with either of the two main political
parties) in the President,s cabinet. As this ministerial
position is usually very politically charged, Meza said his
appointment signaled President Zelaya,s intention to deviate
from "business as usual." Despite expectations that the two
years prior to the November 2009 general elections will be
politically charged, Meza said Hondurans can be assured that
his ministry will not politicize issues such as
decentralization. He pledges to work closely with civil
society, and stated that there is new energy and commitment
among his ministry,s staff.

Strong support for decentralization
--------------


3. (C) Minister Meza declared his support for the
decentralization of government authority, responsibility, and
resources to the local level, including in the key sectors of
education and health. He said decentralization is one of the
priorities of the Zelaya administration for its last two
years, and that "decentralization is State policy." He
further added: "A more decentralized country is a more
democratic one." He believes Honduran civil society is an
important partner in this process and said that there will be
no political discrimination in the decentralization process.
The Ambassador mentioned that in his recent meetings with the
mayors of Tela and Puerto Cortes, they expressed the need for
central government support in the decentralization process.

Decentralization strategy
--------------


4. (U) Meza discussed his recent request that all central
government ministries and offices identify short, medium, and
long-term decentralization opportunities that would be
incorporated into a consolidated, central government-wide
decentralization strategy. He said the Ministry will
prioritize decentralization of authority, responsibility, and
resources currently in the Ministries of Health and Education
and the Honduran Social Investment Fund (FHIS),and he
expects that the consolidated decentralization plan will be
reflected in the 2008 budget.

An old debate
--------------


5. (C) Meza claims that decentralization efforts have been
the victim of an obsolete debate that centers around
challenges to "neoliberal economic development policy." He
said it is difficult to gain support for decentralization
among those who continue to believe that decentralization
means privatization and that it represents a loss of power
for the State and a relinquishment of the State,s
responsibilities to the private sector. Meza said that it is
necessary to first consolidate government before
decentralizing it, since "one does not want to decentralize

disorder." The Ambassador highlighted specific USG
assistance in the decentralization arena and pledged to
continue our support.

Rebuilding leadership
--------------


6. (C) Meza discussed the poor shape of the ministry he
inherited. He said that normally the Minister of Governance
and Justice should take the lead among equal ministries,
after the Ministry of the Presidency. In his opinion, former
Minister Jorge Arturo Reina abdicated this role, and the
subsequent lack of leadership led to incoherent or
nonexistent government-wide strategies. He also criticized
the former Minister's internal management of the Ministry.
Meza said he faces the challenge of reasserting these
traditional leadership and management roles.

Security strategy
--------------


7. (C) As part of his plan to reassert the leadership role of
the Ministry, Meza said he will pursue the development of a
state security policy under his ministry,s lead, rather than
under the Ministry of Security. His argument is that this
issue is "broader than just the police." Meza claims that
the GOH does not currently have a security policy, only
"free-floating elements." He sees the police as part of the
problem, rather than the solution, and said that "one cannot
share information or intelligence with corrupt police." Meza
added that he is working on the creation of a comparative
studies institute for Central America, where issues such as
security can be studied from an academic angle. He also said
he is organizing a conference on security to be held in
Honduras.

Possible corruption in procurement
--------------


8. (C) Meza and his staff are currently reviewing previous
procurement practices, particularly the hiring of
consultants. He said it appears there may have been
procurement fraud, such as payments for nonexistent
consultants. He said he will take what evidence he has to
the Supreme Audit Institution (TSC),and if the TSC does not
pursue the case, he said the Ministry will do so.

Problems in Migration
--------------


9. (C) Meza highlighted the dire shape of the Head Office of
Migration and Foreigners. Strengthening this unit is one of
Meza,s priorities. Meza is worried about corruption in this
unit and the possible influence of criminal elements.
(Comment: This statement is of concern, as Post has a good
working relationship with the head of the Migration office,
who appears to be proactive in combatting fraud. Post will
investigate further. End comment.) Meza talked extensively
about his concern regarding the issuance of visas at the
Honduran Embassy in Havana to Cubans for suspect reasons.
These Cubans often travel onward to the United States, he
claimed. Meza suspected a link between the Cubans and the
National Congress. When Meza recently revoked the visa of a
particular Cuban, he said a high government official
immediately protested, despite clear justification for
revoking the visa. Meza claims the number of Cubans coming
to or passing through Honduras is increasing daily. He
recognizes this as a security issue, and said the number of
migrants suggested the involvement of organized criminal
elements. The Ambassador officered his assistance with this
matter, suggesting the USG and Ministry could organize a
working group to address the issue.

Stemming the drain of brain and brawn
--------------


10. (U) Regarding the emigration of Hondurans to the U.S.,
Meza highlighted a theme that emerged in the National
Dialogue (a process that he led prior to assuming his current
post),that of the need for a migration policy that focuses
on local economic and labor policy. Meza sees the emigration
of so many Hondurans as a serious human capital issue for
Honduras, which is losing its best and brightest. One area
of high importance for him is looking at how Hondurans can
develop local solutions to the labor/employment problems.
Meza said he is working with the Swedish International
Development Agency (SIDA) on this issue. He also said
Honduras needs to prioritize rural and labor projects to stem
the flow of immigrants. Meza added that the stimulation of
private sector investment is needed.

Ready for greater cooperation
--------------


11. (SBU) Meza confirmed that his doors are open to greater
cooperation and a more continuous and productive relationship
with the USG. Meza reiterated that there are many good
people at his ministry that are not compromised by corruption.

Comment
--------------


12. (C) Post believes this was a productive meeting and that
there are many areas that we can work with the Ministry of
Justice and Governance. In regards to the security sector,
however, we believe Meza's analysis is overly simplistic.
There are serious flaws in the justice system in Honduras,
however, the problems are not only with the police, but also
with the prosecutors and judges. All three sectors--
Ministry of Security, Attorney General's Office, and the
Supreme Court-- must participate as equals to develop
security policy and improve the security situation in
Honduras. Instead of writing off the police, Post believes
the better strategy is to assist them in improving their law
enforcement capabilities and combating corruption. We will
continue to work towards that end. End Comment.
Ford