GUIDANCE ON FOURTH URN ISSUE

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 061160 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2019 TAGS: PGOV HO SUBJECT: GUIDANCE ON FOURTH URN ISSUE REF: TEGUCIGALPA 438 Classified By: WHA DAS Robinson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Reftel requested guidance from the Department regarding President Zelaya's request for USG participation in a dialogue between Liberal Party leaders on Zelaya's controversial proposal to hold a referendum (Fourth Urn) during the November elections which would seek popular consent to form a constituent assembly to reform the Honduran constitution. While we do not want to be drawn into what should be a discussion among Hondurans, we concur with post's approach to advocate for a legal, consensual solution that maintains constitutional order and preserves Honduran democracy. We also have doubts about Zelaya,s true motives, but agree with post that U.S. interests would be served if President Zelaya and other senior Honduran leaders are able to form a viable consensus on a course of action that ends the current political crisis. ¶2. (C) The Department authorizes post to participate in meetings of senior Honduran leaders for the sole purpose of facilitating a consensus on resolving the Fourth Urn issue. We endorse post,s stated intention not to express support for or opposition to any particular proposal. However, post should continue to reiterate the U.S. interest in preserving Honduran democracy, constitutional order, and ensuring a peaceful transfer of power following the November elections. ¶3. (C) Consistent with our desire to keep the U.S. involvement in this issue as low-key as possible, any meetings in which the Ambassador participates should be arranged quietly and his participation should not be given publicity in the media or elsewhere. ¶4. (C) Post may draw on the following points in conversations with President Zelaya and other senior Honduran officials: -- Our primary concern is the health and strength of Honduran democracy. -- Constitutional revision should only be undertaken if there is broad-based consensus and a legal path for doing so. -- Should the appropriate constitutional authorities decide to move forward with revision of the constitution, the process for doing so must be broadly inclusive, honest, fair, and, above all, legal. It should preserve democratic, constitutional rule. -- Should the appropriate constitutional authorities decide not to move forward with revision of the constitution, all actors must refrain from extra-constitutional or illegal actions that might undermine the constitutional order and Honduran democracy. -- Breaching the constitutional order would be a step backward for Honduran democracy and would have a negative impact on our bilateral relations. ¶5. (C) Post is also requested to make the following points to Zelaya in private prior to the meeting. -- We are willing to facilitate a meeting of Honduran leaders in order to seek a consensual resolution to this issue. However, we will in no way support or facilitate a compromise that is not constitutional. -- We would oppose any move to hold the poll in defiance of the constitutional order and authorities. CLINTON