TFH01: ATTEMPT TO REACTIVATE VERIFICATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 001213 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/27/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM HO SUBJECT: TFH01: ATTEMPT TO REACTIVATE VERIFICATION COMMISSION REF: TEGUCIGALPA 1195 Classified By: Ambassador Hugo Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) Summary. The Ambassador attempted to informally gather together on November 26 the Tegucigalpa-San Jose Accord negotiators for both President Jose Manuel "Mel" Zelaya and de facto regime leader Roberto Micheletti, along with representatives of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Honduras, but the Zelaya side pulled out at the last moment. Arturo Corrales, Micheletti's representative on the accord's Verification Commission, stated that the negotiating scene will change drastically after the general election on November 29. Corrales said the president-elect will become a crucial player while the roles played by both President Zelaya and Micheletti will diminish, making them more willing to compromise. The unwillingness of Zelaya to engage in talks with the Micheletti side hampers his ability to find a negotiated solution to restore the democratic and constitutional order. This may change once a president-elect is in place. End Summary. ¶2. (C) The Ambassador invited the Honduran members of the Tegucigalpa-San Jose Accord Verification Commission as well as the negotiators at the Guaymuras Dialogue that led to the accord to meet over breakfast at the Residence on November 26 along with Organization of American States (OAS) Envoys Octavio Bordon and Enrique Correa and Specialist Claudia Barrientos. President Zelaya called the Ambassador the evening of November 25 and said he supported the meeting, but that his representatives suspected that Micheletti negotiator Vilma Morales would leak that the meeting took place. Bordon and Correa told the Ambassador on November 27 that Jorge Arturo Reina, Zelaya's representative on the Commission, and Zelaya negotiators Victor Meza, Mayra Mejia, and Rodil Rivera were willing to attend the meeting, but were prohibited from doing so by President Zelaya. ¶3. (C) The Ambassador explained to Micheletti negotiators Vilma Morales and Arturo Corrales, who also represents Micheletti on the Verification Commission, that their counterparts had decided not to attend. (Note: Micheletti negotiator Armando Aguilar was unable to attend. End Note.) Corrales said the events of June 28 were born out of fear of Zelaya, but that as a result, Zelaya's supporters have become afraid of those who support the de facto regime and the country is gripped by collective fear and mistrust. Corrales stated that the provision of the Tegucigalpa-San Jose Accord regarding restoration of President Zelaya is almost identical to what was proposed during negotiations by the Zelaya side. Corrales surmised that the Zelaya side wanted to abandon that proposal when it realized that it did not have the congressional votes needed for restoration, but felt backed into a corner and signed the accord. ¶4. (C) The Ambassador said the United States believes the Tegucigalpa-San Jose Accord provides the framework for the resolution of Honduras' political crisis and that creation of a government of national unity before the administration elected on November 29 takes office on January 27 is crucial to allow the international community to recognize and support the president-elect and his administration. The Ambassador stated that the United States would like to see the Congress vote to restore President Zelaya to office when it takes up the issue on December 2. Bordon said the Verification Commission needs to continue in existence and that that is the reason he and his OAS colleagues are staying in Honduras. ¶5. (C) Corrales said the negotiating scene will change dramatically after the election on November 29. Corrales said the president-elect will embody the will of the Honduran people and his opinion will carry great moral weight, while the influence of both President Zelaya and Micheletti will diminish. Corrales believes that this will render negotiating with Zelaya and Micheletti easier. Morales said she does not anticipate that the Congress will overturn its decision of June 28 removing President Zelaya from office because it would mean recognizing that that decision was illegitimate. She added that she believes that Congress' discussion of Zelaya's restoration will be lengthy, perhaps leading to a delay in the vote. Morales said what is TEGUCIGALP 00001213 002 OF 002 important is the future of Honduras and that requires national reconciliation. Corrales said that the solution to the Honduran crisis is akin to the resolution to marital problems: both sides need to admit that they contributed to the problem and genuinely forgive the other for their mistakes. LLORENS