Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE92655
2009-09-05 02:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Secretary of State
Cable title:
SECRETARY'S MEETING WITH HONDURAN PRESIDENT ZELAYA
how-toVZCZCXRO9426 OO RUEHAO RUEHCD RUEHGA RUEHGD RUEHHA RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHMT RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHQU RUEHRD RUEHRG RUEHRS RUEHTM RUEHVC DE RUEHC #2655/01 2480242 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O P 050224Z SEP 09 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUEHTG/AMEMBASSY TEGUCIGALPA IMMEDIATE 5564 INFO WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 092655
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2019
TAGS: PREL OVIP CLINTON HILLARY XM HO
SUBJECT: SECRETARY'S MEETING WITH HONDURAN PRESIDENT ZELAYA
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 092655
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2019
TAGS: PREL OVIP CLINTON HILLARY XM HO
SUBJECT: SECRETARY'S MEETING WITH HONDURAN PRESIDENT ZELAYA
1. Classified By: Assistant Secretary Thomas A. Shannon.
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
2. September 3, 2009, 1230-1330, Washington, DC.
3. Participants:
U.S.
====
The Secretary
Undersecretary for Global Affairs Maria Otero
PA Assistant Secretary Phillip J. Crowley
WHA Assistant Secretary Thomas A. Shannon
WHA Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Craig Kelly
Ambassador Hugo Llorens
NSC Senior Director for WHA Dan Restrepo
WHA/CEN Gabriela Zambrano (Notetaker)
Honduras
==========
President Manuel "Mel" Zelaya
Charge d?Affairs Enrique Reina
Hector Zelaya, son of President Zelaya
Alejandro Sibrian, notetaker
4. (C) SUMMARY: The Secretary stressed the United States?
commitment to the peaceful restoration of the democratic order
in Honduras. She urged President Zelaya to sign the San Jose
Accord now, refrain from provocative statements and actions,
and announce publicly his intention to comply with its terms.
President Zelaya promised to sign the San Jose Accord but
insisted the de facto regime needs to sign the Accord
simultaneously. End Summary.
--------------
Termination of Assistance and other Measures
--------------
5. (C) Secretary Clinton read to President Zelaya the
Department?s September 3 press statement announcing the United
States is terminating a broad range of assistance to the
government of Honduras as a result of the June 28 coup d'etat.
The statement also mentioned the United States is in the
process of revoking visas of individual members and supporters
of the de facto regime and that the United States, at this
moment, would not be able to support the outcome of the
scheduled November 29 elections. She reiterated the decisions
contained in the announcement were made to put pressure on the
de facto regime to sign the San Jose Accord.
--------------
Signing the San Jose Accord
--------------
6. (C) Secretary Clinton stated the United States is
committed to the peaceful restoration of the democratic order
in Honduras. She asked President Zelaya to refrain from any
provocative statements and actions that could hinder approval
and implementation of the San Jose Accord. She asked
President Zelaya to sign the Accord now to put pressure on the
de facto regime. She conveyed the message that Zelaya's
opponents believe he would not abide by the Accord. She asked
Zelaya to announce publicly that he would leave at the end of
his term on January 27, that he would support any type of
verification system that would guarantee the implementation of
the San Jose Accord, and that elections would be held as
scheduled on November 29.
7. (C) President Zelaya reiterated his support for the San
Jose Accord and his willingness to sign it. Zelaya said
signing the Accord provides generous concessions to the de
facto regime, but expressed willingness to return as a
symbolic figure of democracy. Zelaya stated the San Jose
Accord should be signed in Tegucigalpa rather than in San
Jose. Zelaya stated he would send a letter promising
Secretary Clinton that he would sign the accord as soon as
Micheletti signs. Zelaya still believes the de facto regime
will never agree to sign it.
--------------
Persecution against Zelaya?s supporters
--------------
8. (C) Zelaya stated the Micheletti regime is persecuting
STATE 00092655 002 OF 002
anybody who does not support the coup. Zelaya stated that 24
arrest warrants exist against him alleging his involvement in
drugs, terrorism, and other crimes in Honduras. Zelaya stated
all of them are politically motivated because they were issued
after the coup.
9. (C) Zelaya mentioned that Charge Enrique Reina has an
arrest warrant against him. Zelaya stated his cabinet members
fear they might get arrested at an airport.
-------------- ---
Human-rights situation deteriorating in Honduras
-------------- ---
10. (C) Zelaya stated that after the coup, hundreds of people
have been murdered in undetermined circumstances, his
supporters have been detained, and women have been raped. He
said he has asked his supporters, in the meantime, not to
attack the military.
11. (C) Secretary Clinton said the Department of State has
conveyed reports of alleged arbitrary arrests and beatings of
protesters by the de facto regime to the office of the
Attorney General, the human rights Ombudsman, and individuals
close to the de facto regime. She added that the United
States will condemn violence by anyone and told Zelaya his
supporters must refrain from any act of violence.
--------------
President Zelaya?s trip to South America
--------------
12. (C) President Zelaya said the presidents of Mexico,
Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru believe that if Zelaya does
not return to Honduras by September, then he should not return
to Honduras at all. President Zelaya stated he has not made a
decision yet on this advice.
-------------- --------------
-
President Zelaya asked for more measures against the regime
-------------- --------------
-
13. (C) President Zelaya asked that the Department of State
determine the June 28 coup was a military coup, he urged that
the Department of Treasury take action to freeze Honduran
foreign exchange reserves in the United States (which he said
amounted to 1.5 billion dollars) and he asked that Honduras be
removed from CAFTA. He also asked if the United States could
make a statement condemning the deterioration of human rights
in Honduras.
14. (C) Secretary Clinton stated the United States would
examine these issued but not specify the eventual U.S.
position.
--------------
Agrement for Charge d'Affaires Enrique Reina
--------------
15. (C) Zelaya asked the Department of State to expedite the
credentialing process for Charge Reina. He stated Reina would
have credibility with Congress if he were recognized as an
ambassador. The Secretary said she would look into this
matter.
--------------
Road Ahead
--------------
16. (C) Secretary Clinton said the United States decided not
to recall Ambassador Llorens because he is working in a
constructive way to reach out to all political actors to
restore the democratic order in Honduras. The Secretary
reiterated to President Zelaya that the United States would
continue to support the peaceful restoration of democratic
order in Honduras. She said the United States is committed to
President Zelaya's return in a peaceful way that would not
cause any harm or suffering to the Honduran people.
CLINTON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2019
TAGS: PREL OVIP CLINTON HILLARY XM HO
SUBJECT: SECRETARY'S MEETING WITH HONDURAN PRESIDENT ZELAYA
1. Classified By: Assistant Secretary Thomas A. Shannon.
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
2. September 3, 2009, 1230-1330, Washington, DC.
3. Participants:
U.S.
====
The Secretary
Undersecretary for Global Affairs Maria Otero
PA Assistant Secretary Phillip J. Crowley
WHA Assistant Secretary Thomas A. Shannon
WHA Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Craig Kelly
Ambassador Hugo Llorens
NSC Senior Director for WHA Dan Restrepo
WHA/CEN Gabriela Zambrano (Notetaker)
Honduras
==========
President Manuel "Mel" Zelaya
Charge d?Affairs Enrique Reina
Hector Zelaya, son of President Zelaya
Alejandro Sibrian, notetaker
4. (C) SUMMARY: The Secretary stressed the United States?
commitment to the peaceful restoration of the democratic order
in Honduras. She urged President Zelaya to sign the San Jose
Accord now, refrain from provocative statements and actions,
and announce publicly his intention to comply with its terms.
President Zelaya promised to sign the San Jose Accord but
insisted the de facto regime needs to sign the Accord
simultaneously. End Summary.
--------------
Termination of Assistance and other Measures
--------------
5. (C) Secretary Clinton read to President Zelaya the
Department?s September 3 press statement announcing the United
States is terminating a broad range of assistance to the
government of Honduras as a result of the June 28 coup d'etat.
The statement also mentioned the United States is in the
process of revoking visas of individual members and supporters
of the de facto regime and that the United States, at this
moment, would not be able to support the outcome of the
scheduled November 29 elections. She reiterated the decisions
contained in the announcement were made to put pressure on the
de facto regime to sign the San Jose Accord.
--------------
Signing the San Jose Accord
--------------
6. (C) Secretary Clinton stated the United States is
committed to the peaceful restoration of the democratic order
in Honduras. She asked President Zelaya to refrain from any
provocative statements and actions that could hinder approval
and implementation of the San Jose Accord. She asked
President Zelaya to sign the Accord now to put pressure on the
de facto regime. She conveyed the message that Zelaya's
opponents believe he would not abide by the Accord. She asked
Zelaya to announce publicly that he would leave at the end of
his term on January 27, that he would support any type of
verification system that would guarantee the implementation of
the San Jose Accord, and that elections would be held as
scheduled on November 29.
7. (C) President Zelaya reiterated his support for the San
Jose Accord and his willingness to sign it. Zelaya said
signing the Accord provides generous concessions to the de
facto regime, but expressed willingness to return as a
symbolic figure of democracy. Zelaya stated the San Jose
Accord should be signed in Tegucigalpa rather than in San
Jose. Zelaya stated he would send a letter promising
Secretary Clinton that he would sign the accord as soon as
Micheletti signs. Zelaya still believes the de facto regime
will never agree to sign it.
--------------
Persecution against Zelaya?s supporters
--------------
8. (C) Zelaya stated the Micheletti regime is persecuting
STATE 00092655 002 OF 002
anybody who does not support the coup. Zelaya stated that 24
arrest warrants exist against him alleging his involvement in
drugs, terrorism, and other crimes in Honduras. Zelaya stated
all of them are politically motivated because they were issued
after the coup.
9. (C) Zelaya mentioned that Charge Enrique Reina has an
arrest warrant against him. Zelaya stated his cabinet members
fear they might get arrested at an airport.
-------------- ---
Human-rights situation deteriorating in Honduras
-------------- ---
10. (C) Zelaya stated that after the coup, hundreds of people
have been murdered in undetermined circumstances, his
supporters have been detained, and women have been raped. He
said he has asked his supporters, in the meantime, not to
attack the military.
11. (C) Secretary Clinton said the Department of State has
conveyed reports of alleged arbitrary arrests and beatings of
protesters by the de facto regime to the office of the
Attorney General, the human rights Ombudsman, and individuals
close to the de facto regime. She added that the United
States will condemn violence by anyone and told Zelaya his
supporters must refrain from any act of violence.
--------------
President Zelaya?s trip to South America
--------------
12. (C) President Zelaya said the presidents of Mexico,
Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru believe that if Zelaya does
not return to Honduras by September, then he should not return
to Honduras at all. President Zelaya stated he has not made a
decision yet on this advice.
-------------- --------------
-
President Zelaya asked for more measures against the regime
-------------- --------------
-
13. (C) President Zelaya asked that the Department of State
determine the June 28 coup was a military coup, he urged that
the Department of Treasury take action to freeze Honduran
foreign exchange reserves in the United States (which he said
amounted to 1.5 billion dollars) and he asked that Honduras be
removed from CAFTA. He also asked if the United States could
make a statement condemning the deterioration of human rights
in Honduras.
14. (C) Secretary Clinton stated the United States would
examine these issued but not specify the eventual U.S.
position.
--------------
Agrement for Charge d'Affaires Enrique Reina
--------------
15. (C) Zelaya asked the Department of State to expedite the
credentialing process for Charge Reina. He stated Reina would
have credibility with Congress if he were recognized as an
ambassador. The Secretary said she would look into this
matter.
--------------
Road Ahead
--------------
16. (C) Secretary Clinton said the United States decided not
to recall Ambassador Llorens because he is working in a
constructive way to reach out to all political actors to
restore the democratic order in Honduras. The Secretary
reiterated to President Zelaya that the United States would
continue to support the peaceful restoration of democratic
order in Honduras. She said the United States is committed to
President Zelaya's return in a peaceful way that would not
cause any harm or suffering to the Honduran people.
CLINTON