TFH01: AMBASSADOR MEETS OAS POLITICAL SECRETARY

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 001010 E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/03/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM HO SUBJECT: TFH01: AMBASSADOR MEETS OAS POLITICAL SECRETARY RICO Classified By: Ambassador Hugo Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) Summary. The Ambassador and Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary for Political Affairs Victor Rico, in an October 3 meeting, discussed parties to include in the OAS-sponsored negotiations that will be held in Tegucigalpa the week of October 5. Rico told the Ambassador that the OAS would propose acceptance of the San Jose Accord in principle followed by discussion of its specific provisions. The Ambassador suggested that the presidential candidates, former Minister of Defense Edmundo Orellana, representatives of the business community, the pro-Zelaya resistance movement, and the pro-regime Civil Democratic Union might be allowed to be included in the negotiations. Rico said he spoke by telephone on October 3 to President Jose Manuel "Mel" Zelaya, who seemed depressed. End Summary. ¶2. (C) The Ambassador, accompanied by the DCM and POL Counselor, met on October 3 with OAS Secretary for Political Affairs Victor Rico, who was joined at the meeting by Ambassador Adam Blackwell, OAS Secretary for External Relations; Steven Griner, Chief of the OAS Election Section; Claudia Barrientos, Specialist in the OAS Department of Sustainable Democracy and Special Missions; and Jorge Miranda, OAS Representative in Honduras. Rico thanked the Ambassador for the assistance provided by U.S. Embassy staff at the airport to the OAS delegation that arrived in Tegucigalpa on September 27 and, except for one member, was not allowed to enter the country. ¶3. (C) The Ambassador said the presidential candidates, as representatives of Honduras' future, can play an important role in resolving their country's political crisis and should be parties to the negotiations. He told Rico that Edmundo Orellana, former Minister of Defense and legislator, is an influential and respected figure who would be a helpful participant. The Ambassador also suggested that representatives of the business community, the pro-Zelaya resistance movement and the pro-regime Civic Democratic Union could contribute to the dialogue. The Ambassador told Rico that there is still tremendous resistance among de facto regime supporters to the restitution of Zelaya to the presidency. He added that the presidential candidates argue that if Zelaya is restored to power before the elections scheduled for November 29, he will scuttle the electoral process. However, the candidates, especially front-runner National Party candidate Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo, want Zelaya reinstated before the inauguration in order to give the next presidential administration legitimacy through restoration of the constitutional order. ¶4. (C) Rico told the Ambassador that the proposal on the table is acceptance of the San Jose Accord in essence followed by discussion of each point in the Accord. Rico said that the de facto regime told OAS Special Envoy John Biehl that it would submit a proposal to the OAS on October 2, but failed to do so. Rico told the Ambassador that he spoke to President Zelaya by telephone on October 3 and found him to be low in spirits. Rico said that President Zelaya asked that the de facto regime abrogate the decree enacted on September 26 severely curtailing civil liberties, allow resumption of operations by the pro-Zelaya media shut down under the decree, and allow more of his advisors to enter the Brazilian Embassy. Rico noted that action by the regime on these requests would facilitate dialogue. ¶5. (C) Rico said the OAS Foreign Ministers who will come to Honduras on October 7 could act as witnesses to the dialogue. Rico said a facilitator for the negotiations is likely to be appointed and Auxiliary Bishop of Tegucigalpa Juan Jose Pineda has been suggested to fill that role. Rico added that a renowned foreign figure, such as a former president, could also serve as facilitator. LLORENS