Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TEGUCIGALPA1067
2009-10-20 21:25:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Cable title:
TFH01: DE FACTO REGIME ABROGATES DECREE CURTAILING
how-toVZCZCXRO5117 OO RUEHAO RUEHCD RUEHGA RUEHGD RUEHGR RUEHHA RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHMT RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHQU RUEHRD RUEHRG RUEHRS RUEHTM RUEHVC DE RUEHTG #1067 2932125 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 202125Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY TEGUCIGALPA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0923 INFO RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CDR JTF-BRAVO IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/COMSOCSOUTH IMMEDIATE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEIDN/DNI WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUMIAAA/USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001067
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ASEC SOCI HO
SUBJECT: TFH01: DE FACTO REGIME ABROGATES DECREE CURTAILING
CIVIL LIBERTIES
REF: A. TEGUCIGALPA 989
B. TEGUCIGALPA 1045
UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001067
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ASEC SOCI HO
SUBJECT: TFH01: DE FACTO REGIME ABROGATES DECREE CURTAILING
CIVIL LIBERTIES
REF: A. TEGUCIGALPA 989
B. TEGUCIGALPA 1045
1. (U) Summary. The de facto regime has abrogated the
executive decree it adopted that severely curtailed civil
liberties. Ensuring a high voter turnout for the general
election scheduled for November 29 was the justification for
the abrogation. End Summary.
2. (U) The de facto regime abrogated the executive decree it
had issued on September 22 and published in the national
register on September 26, which limited the freedoms of
speech, association, movement and due process (See Reftel B).
3. (U) The decree providing for the abrogation, which was
published in the October 17 national register, states that
its goal is to contribute to consolidation and strengthening
of democracy and ensure the highest participation by the
citizenry in the electoral process that will be held on
November 29 of this year, which will bring about the new
constitutional government. The decree also states that there
has been a decrease in acts of vandalism which motivated
issuance of the first decree and that it successfully
restored public order.
4. (U) Pro-Zelaya television station Channel 36 and radio
station "Radio Globo" resumed operating on October 19 after
being shut down on September 28 pursuant to the decree.
However, a decree published by the de facto regime in the
national register on October 5 providing for the revocation
of the operating licenses of media outlets that violate
national security and public order remains in effect.
5. (SBU) Comment. The de facto regime came under significant
pressure, both domestically and internationally, to abrogate
the decree. The regime touts the general election scheduled
for November 29 as the solution to Honduras' political
crisis. It seems clear that arguments that the decree placed
credible elections in jeopardy hit home with the regime. The
pro-Zelaya faction has been unable to effectively organize
demonstrations since the decree curtailing civil liberties
was passed. It remains to be seen how the regime will react
if large-scale pro-Zelaya demonstrations commence. The
October 5 decree, which is still in effect, gives the de
facto regime the same control over the press as did the
abrogated decree.
LLORENS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ASEC SOCI HO
SUBJECT: TFH01: DE FACTO REGIME ABROGATES DECREE CURTAILING
CIVIL LIBERTIES
REF: A. TEGUCIGALPA 989
B. TEGUCIGALPA 1045
1. (U) Summary. The de facto regime has abrogated the
executive decree it adopted that severely curtailed civil
liberties. Ensuring a high voter turnout for the general
election scheduled for November 29 was the justification for
the abrogation. End Summary.
2. (U) The de facto regime abrogated the executive decree it
had issued on September 22 and published in the national
register on September 26, which limited the freedoms of
speech, association, movement and due process (See Reftel B).
3. (U) The decree providing for the abrogation, which was
published in the October 17 national register, states that
its goal is to contribute to consolidation and strengthening
of democracy and ensure the highest participation by the
citizenry in the electoral process that will be held on
November 29 of this year, which will bring about the new
constitutional government. The decree also states that there
has been a decrease in acts of vandalism which motivated
issuance of the first decree and that it successfully
restored public order.
4. (U) Pro-Zelaya television station Channel 36 and radio
station "Radio Globo" resumed operating on October 19 after
being shut down on September 28 pursuant to the decree.
However, a decree published by the de facto regime in the
national register on October 5 providing for the revocation
of the operating licenses of media outlets that violate
national security and public order remains in effect.
5. (SBU) Comment. The de facto regime came under significant
pressure, both domestically and internationally, to abrogate
the decree. The regime touts the general election scheduled
for November 29 as the solution to Honduras' political
crisis. It seems clear that arguments that the decree placed
credible elections in jeopardy hit home with the regime. The
pro-Zelaya faction has been unable to effectively organize
demonstrations since the decree curtailing civil liberties
was passed. It remains to be seen how the regime will react
if large-scale pro-Zelaya demonstrations commence. The
October 5 decree, which is still in effect, gives the de
facto regime the same control over the press as did the
abrogated decree.
LLORENS