GUIDANCE RESPONSE: DEALING WITH THE MICHELETTI

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 069221 E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/30/2019 TAGS: CVIS EAID ECON EFIN HO KDEM MARR PBTS PGOV PREL SNAR SUBJECT: GUIDANCE RESPONSE: DEALING WITH THE MICHELETTI REGIME IN HONDURAS REF: A. TEGUCIGALPA 516 B. STATE (USOAS) 68872 Classified By: Craig A. Kelly, Reasons 1.4 (B&D) ¶1. (C) The General Assembly of the OAS adopted a resolution condemning the detention and expulsion of President Zelaya. The resolution also declared "that no government arising from this unconstitutional interruption will be recognized," and instructed Secretary General Insulza to initiate diplomatic action aimed at restoring democracy and the rule of law as well as the reinstatement of President Zelaya in Honduras (ref B). On the margins of the OAS meeting, President Zelaya privately asked Assistant Secretary Shannon to initiate contact with the Honduran Armed Forces and the de facto government to begin seeking a solution to the current crisis that would restore democracy and constitutional order to the Honduran people. ¶2. (C) The Ambassador is therefore instructed to engage elements of the Honduran Armed Forces and de facto administration, at a level and frequency of his discretion, to explore options for President Zelaya,s peaceful resumption of his office. You should suggest to the de facto administration that it make progress towards the objectives of the OAS resolution as a sole means of avoiding suspension. You shall avoid giving the appearance that we are extending official recognition to or acceptance of Micheletti and his colleagues and their actions. ¶3. (C) At the same time, per ref A, you should continue rejecting applications for A, G1, G2, and C3 visas for members of the Micheletti cabinet and new appointees to the Honduran Embassy and consulates in the United States. You should review applications from lower level representatives going to international organizations or conferences on a case-by-case basis against a standard that denies acceptance of the de facto administration but that does not unnecessarily exclude Honduras from technical-level participation in on-going projects and programs. A G3 visa is an option for an individual going to a designated international organization. ¶4. (C) The Department also recommends that you suspend upcoming USG VIP visits unless they are directly related to restoring democracy and constitutional order in Honduras, and that you suspend Milgroup,s" Serpent King" exercise. ¶5. (C) No decision has been made regarding whether section 7008 of the Department of State, Foreign Assistance, and Related Programs Appropriations Act applies to restrict assistance to the Government of Honduras. However, you should take steps now to suspend, as a policy matter, obligations and expenditures of assistance for the Government that would be affected under Section 7008 and (emphasis added)for which there is no applicable "notwithstanding authority" that could be relied upon to overcome the restriction. This includes FMF, IMET, 1206, PKO, and certain programs funded from DA and ESF. Detailed guidance on handling current assistance will be sent by septel later. In the meantime, post should refer questions about whether there is notwithstanding authority for particular programs to USAID/GC (for USAID-funded programs) and L/LFA (for State-funded programs). ¶6. We appreciate the calm, deliberate leadership Embassy Tegucigalpa has demonstrated during this challenging time. CLINTON