TFH01: LIBERAL PARTY CANDIDATE CALLS FOR END TO

1. (SBU) Summary. Liberal Party presidential candidate Elvin
Santos issued an open letter to the Honduran people that
appeared in the November 10 press. The letter calls for an
end to the country's political crisis in order to pave the
way for credible elections and a brighter future for
Hondurans. The letter is certainly part of Santos' campaign
strategy and intended to reap votes. But, his call for all
actors to place the interests of their country before their
own is a positive development at this time when the momentum
towards a solution to the political crisis has stalled. End
Summary.



2. (U) Embassy translation of Santos' letter follows:

Begin Text.

I have decided today to address all my Honduran brethren. I
do so with concern and sorrow. And I wish to address
especially those who have power or influence on the sad
crisis which our country is suffering.

I see how time passes and we have been unable to come to an
agreement. The negotiations tables have multiplied, day
after day we learn that at them discussions are insisted upon
where individual positions are placed above generosity and
the interests of Honduras. I am amazed that at none of those
negotiations is present the real victim of this tragedy: our
people.

Despite the fact that all claim to represent it, the
citizenry has been absent from these negotiations. Because
if we asked for its opinion, this crisis would have ended
quite some time ago.

Hondurans no longer want crisis, uncertainty, anxiety. What
they want is a fair and good country that will take charge of
their most pressing needs, whose only goal is the well-being
and progress of all families. In order and peace.

That future is possible. Because I am convinced that
Honduras has a future. That future needs to be decided by
our citizens, all and each and every one, in elections that
are free, secret, informed and orderly. And that decision
should be made by Hondurans, all Hondurans, in the glorious
day in which democracy becomes reality: elections.

That is why I request, and also demand, all those seated at
the tables - of negotiations, dialogue, reconciliation or
verification - to see our people and heed their will. That
they reach consensus as quickly as possible, having Honduras
as their only focus.

Because each day that passes, the harm we are doing to the
democratic system grows. Because each day the indifference
and lack of trust of the citizenry increases as it sees that
those who claim to represent it are incapable of overcoming
this situation.

We have the great opportunity of permitting and facilitating
the Honduran people to express their sovereign will through
their vote. And for that to occur, it is necessary to end
this crisis now. To dedicate ourselves to the only table
that matters: that one around which a Honduran family will
sit day after day, that table which today is empty and needs
a plate of warm food for each person seated around it.

They should elect their leaders with confidence so that they
do their best to preserve peace, allow them to get ahead
honestly, and build a better future for all children of this
great country blessed by God.

Elvin Santos Ordonez
Presidential Candidate
Liberal Party of Honduras

End Text.
LLORENS