Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TEGUCIGALPA1008
2009-10-03 01:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Cable title:
PRO-ZELAYA RESISTANCE MEETS G-16
how-toVZCZCXRO0754 OO RUEHAO RUEHCD RUEHGA RUEHGD RUEHGR RUEHHA RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHMT RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHQU RUEHRD RUEHRG RUEHRS RUEHTM RUEHVC DE RUEHTG #1008 2760118 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 030118Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY TEGUCIGALPA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0810 INFO RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS IMMEDIATE RUMIAAA/USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEIDN/DNI WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/COMSOCSOUTH IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CDR JTF-BRAVO IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001008
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM EAID HO
SUBJECT: PRO-ZELAYA RESISTANCE MEETS G-16
UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001008
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM EAID HO
SUBJECT: PRO-ZELAYA RESISTANCE MEETS G-16
1. (SBU) Summary. A delegation of the pro-Zelaya Pacific
Resistance told the G-16 on October 1 that they are opposed
to violence and that any violence that has occurred during
pro-Zelaya demonstrations was carried out by provocateurs.
They described the de facto regime as being composed of
members of the Honduran elite who have no interest in
addressing the country's social woes. They accused the
regime of using the upcoming general election as a means to
hold on to power. End Summary.
2. (SBU) A delegation of the pro-Zelaya Pacific Resistance
met with the G-16 on October 1. The delegation members
described themselves as politicians and labor leaders. They
said they are non-violent and asserted that the violence that
has occurred during pro-Zelaya marches was carried out by de
facto regime provocateurs.
Why the Coup Took Place
--------------
3. (SBU) The delegation told the G-16 that the coup had its
roots in President Zelaya's attempt to take over the
importation of gasoline from the Texaco-Esso-Shell-Dipsa
groups and his decision to have Honduras join the Bolivarian
Alternative for the Americas (ALBA). They charged that
those who support the de facto regime are the privileged
members of society who have manipulated the regime in their
favor. The delegation said these elites want to stay in
power and have no intention of seeking a solution to the
country's underlying social crisis, which led to the
political crisis. They also charged that the Armed Forces
were behind the coup d'etat and that the leaders of the Armed
Forces would have to take over the country if a resolution to
the crisis is not reached by October 15.
Elections Not the Answer
--------------
4. (SBU) They noted that the supporters of the regime view
the general election scheduled for November 29 as a tool to
ensure that they retain their hold on power. According to
the Pacific Resistance, elections are not the solution to
Honduras' underlying serious social problems. They told the
G-16 that they want a constituent assembly and want President
Zelaya restored to office with full presidential powers.
However, they noted that they have reluctantly accepted
President Zelaya's acceptance of the San Jose Accord, which
precludes him from organizing a referendum on holding a
constituent assembly as well as such an assembly itself.
The Future
--------------
5. (SBU) The delegation told the G-16 that the Pacific
Resistance believes that the Honduran people are waking up
and looking to the political left for a solution to their
social problems. The delegation said the Pacific Resistance
will evolve into a political party and lamented that they are
not on the ballot for the election scheduled for November 29.
They complained that the media, owned mostly by the
privileged, is brainwashing the public and satanizing
President Zelaya. In response to a question about whether
they are obtaining weapons, they reiterated that they are
pacifists and not clandestine. They said the Pacific
Resistance is the only real opposition in the country and
armed struggle would break up the Pacific Resistance.
LLORENS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM EAID HO
SUBJECT: PRO-ZELAYA RESISTANCE MEETS G-16
1. (SBU) Summary. A delegation of the pro-Zelaya Pacific
Resistance told the G-16 on October 1 that they are opposed
to violence and that any violence that has occurred during
pro-Zelaya demonstrations was carried out by provocateurs.
They described the de facto regime as being composed of
members of the Honduran elite who have no interest in
addressing the country's social woes. They accused the
regime of using the upcoming general election as a means to
hold on to power. End Summary.
2. (SBU) A delegation of the pro-Zelaya Pacific Resistance
met with the G-16 on October 1. The delegation members
described themselves as politicians and labor leaders. They
said they are non-violent and asserted that the violence that
has occurred during pro-Zelaya marches was carried out by de
facto regime provocateurs.
Why the Coup Took Place
--------------
3. (SBU) The delegation told the G-16 that the coup had its
roots in President Zelaya's attempt to take over the
importation of gasoline from the Texaco-Esso-Shell-Dipsa
groups and his decision to have Honduras join the Bolivarian
Alternative for the Americas (ALBA). They charged that
those who support the de facto regime are the privileged
members of society who have manipulated the regime in their
favor. The delegation said these elites want to stay in
power and have no intention of seeking a solution to the
country's underlying social crisis, which led to the
political crisis. They also charged that the Armed Forces
were behind the coup d'etat and that the leaders of the Armed
Forces would have to take over the country if a resolution to
the crisis is not reached by October 15.
Elections Not the Answer
--------------
4. (SBU) They noted that the supporters of the regime view
the general election scheduled for November 29 as a tool to
ensure that they retain their hold on power. According to
the Pacific Resistance, elections are not the solution to
Honduras' underlying serious social problems. They told the
G-16 that they want a constituent assembly and want President
Zelaya restored to office with full presidential powers.
However, they noted that they have reluctantly accepted
President Zelaya's acceptance of the San Jose Accord, which
precludes him from organizing a referendum on holding a
constituent assembly as well as such an assembly itself.
The Future
--------------
5. (SBU) The delegation told the G-16 that the Pacific
Resistance believes that the Honduran people are waking up
and looking to the political left for a solution to their
social problems. The delegation said the Pacific Resistance
will evolve into a political party and lamented that they are
not on the ballot for the election scheduled for November 29.
They complained that the media, owned mostly by the
privileged, is brainwashing the public and satanizing
President Zelaya. In response to a question about whether
they are obtaining weapons, they reiterated that they are
pacifists and not clandestine. They said the Pacific
Resistance is the only real opposition in the country and
armed struggle would break up the Pacific Resistance.
LLORENS