Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RIODEJANEIRO400
2009-12-01 20:36:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Cable title:
Media Reaction Rio de Janeiro: Honduran Saga
how-toVZCZCXRO4472 OO RUEHRG DE RUEHRI #0400 3352038 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 012036Z DEC 09 FM AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0035 INFO RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 0031 RUEHRG/AMCONSUL RECIFE 0013 RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO RUEHSO/AMCONSUL SAO PAULO
UNCLAS RIO DE JANEIRO 000400
SIPDIS
STATE INR/R/MR
IIP/R/MR
WHA/PD
DEPT PASS USTR
USDOC 4322/MAC/OLAC/JAFEE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR OIIP ETRD XM XR BR
SUBJECT: Media Reaction Rio de Janeiro: Honduran Saga
Honduran Saga
Rio-based center-right daily O Globo writes: "While other countries
have shown flexibility regarding the elections in Honduras,
considering them to be a first step out of the crisis resulting
from the June Coup d'????tat, Brazil (...) will not recognize the
results because ousted President, Manuel Zelaya, was not restored
to office before the elections(...) Lula reaffirmed the Brazilian
stance that is shared by important South American countries such as
Chile and Argentina, but is also the stance of the Bolivarian
block, led by Venezuela. One should not forget that Zelaya intended
to make Honduras the second Central American state of the block,
next to Nicaragua. To Venezuela and its allies there is no interest
in ending the impasse because it would mean giving up its hopes for
Honduras. The elections, scheduled before the coup, became the most
important political factor to break the impasse produced by the
rise to power of the president of the Congress, Roberto Micheletti,
and Zelaya's return to the country, sheltered by the Brazilian
Embassy, from where he started to urge his followers to act against
the interim government. (...) The U.S. recognizes the elections in
the company of Colombia, Peru, Costa Rica and Panama. But the White
House wants the Honduran leaders to form a national coalition
government until the inauguration of the elected [President],
conservative Porfirio Lobo, on January 27. Tomorrow, the Honduran
Congress will gather to vote whether Zelaya should return to the
presidency. If the vote is positive, Brazil will have an honorable
way out to demonstrate pragmatism and contribute to institutional
normalization in Honduras. A contrary decision by the Congress will
leave Brazil in a situation that is even more difficult." (Dec 1,
page 6)
HEARNE