HONDURAS: ARIAS READY TO MEDIATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN JOSE 000570 SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA, WHA/CEN AND USOAS; SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR FPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2019 TAGS: HO KDEM PGOV PINR PREL CS SUBJECT: HONDURAS: ARIAS READY TO MEDIATE REF: A. SAN JOSE 565 ¶B. DEH EMAILS OF 7/7/09 Classified By: Charge d'Affairs David Henifin for reasons 1.4 d. ¶1. (SBU) Summary: President Oscar Arias publicly confirmed on July 8 that both President Zelaya and Roberto Micheletti will be personally attending mediation talks scheduled for July 9-10 in San Jose. Arias stated that he has been in contact with both parties, and expects Zelaya to arrive from Washington on the evening of July 8, with Micheletti arriving on the morning of July 9. The media is now reporting that the talks will be held at President Arias' personal residence in San Jose. The President's office has confirmed that the talks will begin on the afternoon of July 9, and the Costa Rican team will include Arias, Foreign Minister Bruno Stagno and Minister of the Presidency (and President Arias' brother) Rodrigo Arias. End Summary. -------------- A CENTRAL AMERICAN SESSION -------------- ¶2. (C) MFA Chief of Staff Elaine White confirmed what Arias had made public, and told us that its still unclear who will be arriving with Zelaya, and whether his entourage would include representatives from the GBRV. White said that the GOCR will "in no way" tell the parties who should be in their delegations to Costa Rica. However, she said that they have made it clear that "only Central Americans will be in the room" during the negotiations. -------------- MEDIA APPLAUDS CHOICE OF ARIAS -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The local media is roundly applauding the efforts of President Arias and his administration. Costa Rica's largest daily states that Costa Rica's involvement is a "clear honor" that "recognizes the capacity of Arias...(to act) in good faith, efficacy and impartiality in the middle of the polarization of Honduras." However, commentators also believe that it will be extremely difficult to arrive at a solution that is acceptable by all parties, and some doubt that it is possible in two days of talks. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶4. (C) Post will continue to update the Department as we learn more details regarding the planned talks. The focus on "only Central Americans" clearly seems aimed at keeping out representatives from South American ALBA countries (no word yet on what this might mean for the involvement of OAS reps). Though this might affect our ability to have eyes in the room during the negotiations, we will continue to work with our contacts for detailed information during the meetings. HENIFIN