Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TEGUCIGALPA1229
2009-11-30 22:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Cable title:
TFH01: CANADA CALLS FOR PEACEFUL ELECTIONS IN
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 001229
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/29/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM HO
SUBJECT: TFH01: CANADA CALLS FOR PEACEFUL ELECTIONS IN
HONDURAS
Classified By: Ambassador Hugo Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b/d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 001229
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/29/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM HO
SUBJECT: TFH01: CANADA CALLS FOR PEACEFUL ELECTIONS IN
HONDURAS
Classified By: Ambassador Hugo Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b/d)
1. (C) Summary. Non-resident Canadian Ambassador to Honduras
Neil Reeder told the Ambassador on November 28 that Canada
will monitor the November 29 general election to determine if
it is free and fair and will observe the events that
transpire the week of November 30 before deciding whether to
recognize the election and its result. Ambassador Reeder
said the Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister for the Americas
called President Jose Manuel "Mel" Zelaya on November 26 and
cautioned him against taking provocative actions or provoking
unrest on election day and Zelaya responded that he would not
do so. Ambassador Reeder will transmit to Ottawa U.S.
concern regarding Spain's position on Honduras. End Summary.
2. (C) The Ambassador met on November 28 with non-resident
Canadian Ambassador to Honduras Neil Reeder; both were
accompanied by their Political Counselors. Ambassador Reeder
said Canada will monitor the general election on November 29
to determine if it is free and fair and will observe what
transpires the week of November 30 before deciding whether or
not to recognize the election and its result.
3. (C) The Ambassador told Reeder that the U.S. hopes the
Congress will restore President Zelaya to office when it
begins deliberation on this issue on December 2. The
Ambassador added that it would be positive to have the
president-elect come out on the record as favoring Zelaya's
restoration. The Ambassador said the best scenario would be
for de facto regime leader Roberto Micheletti not to return
after his temporary absence ends on December 2 and for a
government of national unity to be installed. Ambassador
Reeder said he believed National Party presidential candidate
and front-runner Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo would be able to
publicly call for restoration, but that he was unsure whether
Lobo would be able to convince the members of Congress who
belong to his party to vote for restoration. Both agreed
that it was doubtful that the Congress would vote for
restoration.
4. (C) Ambassador Reeder told the Ambassador that Canadian
Foreign Affairs Minister for the Americas Peter Kent called
President Zelaya on November 26 and found Zelaya in a fairly
positive and buoyant mood. Ambassador Reeder said Kent
strongly cautioned Zelaya against taking any provocative
action or provoking unrest on election day and that Zelaya
responded that he would not do so.
5. (C) The Ambassador expressed U.S. concerns about the
statements made recently by Spain regarding Honduras.
Ambassador Reeder agreed and noted that Spain was driving
European Union policy on Honduras. Ambassador Reeder said he
would pass on U.S. concerns to Ottawa.
6. (U) Ambassador Reeder provided the Ambassador with a copy
of Minister of State of Foreign Affairs for the Americas
Kent's statement on the Honduran elections. Text of
communique follows.
Begin Text.
Canada is disappointed with the lack of progress on the
implementation of the Tegucigalpa-San Jose Accord, signed by
both parties on October 30. Unfortunately, this has meant
that Canada could not provide support for the electoral
process. Although the elections will be watched closely by
the international community and members of civil society,
there will be no formal observation missions from the
Organization of American States or the UN.
The peaceful conduct of the November 29 elections will be an
important step in moving out of the current political
impasse. For the sake of all Hondurans, we urge that they be
run freely and fairly, in a safe and secure environment.
Although the circumstances under which elections will take
place are less than ideal, Canada calls strongly for a
peaceful electoral process free from violence.
Once the elections have taken place, I urge all parties in
Honduras to focus anew on the full implementation of the
Tegucigalpa-San Jose Accord to enable Honduras to return to
TEGUCIGALP 00001229 002 OF 002
democratic rule and constitutional order.
End Text.
LLORENS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/29/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM HO
SUBJECT: TFH01: CANADA CALLS FOR PEACEFUL ELECTIONS IN
HONDURAS
Classified By: Ambassador Hugo Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b/d)
1. (C) Summary. Non-resident Canadian Ambassador to Honduras
Neil Reeder told the Ambassador on November 28 that Canada
will monitor the November 29 general election to determine if
it is free and fair and will observe the events that
transpire the week of November 30 before deciding whether to
recognize the election and its result. Ambassador Reeder
said the Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister for the Americas
called President Jose Manuel "Mel" Zelaya on November 26 and
cautioned him against taking provocative actions or provoking
unrest on election day and Zelaya responded that he would not
do so. Ambassador Reeder will transmit to Ottawa U.S.
concern regarding Spain's position on Honduras. End Summary.
2. (C) The Ambassador met on November 28 with non-resident
Canadian Ambassador to Honduras Neil Reeder; both were
accompanied by their Political Counselors. Ambassador Reeder
said Canada will monitor the general election on November 29
to determine if it is free and fair and will observe what
transpires the week of November 30 before deciding whether or
not to recognize the election and its result.
3. (C) The Ambassador told Reeder that the U.S. hopes the
Congress will restore President Zelaya to office when it
begins deliberation on this issue on December 2. The
Ambassador added that it would be positive to have the
president-elect come out on the record as favoring Zelaya's
restoration. The Ambassador said the best scenario would be
for de facto regime leader Roberto Micheletti not to return
after his temporary absence ends on December 2 and for a
government of national unity to be installed. Ambassador
Reeder said he believed National Party presidential candidate
and front-runner Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo would be able to
publicly call for restoration, but that he was unsure whether
Lobo would be able to convince the members of Congress who
belong to his party to vote for restoration. Both agreed
that it was doubtful that the Congress would vote for
restoration.
4. (C) Ambassador Reeder told the Ambassador that Canadian
Foreign Affairs Minister for the Americas Peter Kent called
President Zelaya on November 26 and found Zelaya in a fairly
positive and buoyant mood. Ambassador Reeder said Kent
strongly cautioned Zelaya against taking any provocative
action or provoking unrest on election day and that Zelaya
responded that he would not do so.
5. (C) The Ambassador expressed U.S. concerns about the
statements made recently by Spain regarding Honduras.
Ambassador Reeder agreed and noted that Spain was driving
European Union policy on Honduras. Ambassador Reeder said he
would pass on U.S. concerns to Ottawa.
6. (U) Ambassador Reeder provided the Ambassador with a copy
of Minister of State of Foreign Affairs for the Americas
Kent's statement on the Honduran elections. Text of
communique follows.
Begin Text.
Canada is disappointed with the lack of progress on the
implementation of the Tegucigalpa-San Jose Accord, signed by
both parties on October 30. Unfortunately, this has meant
that Canada could not provide support for the electoral
process. Although the elections will be watched closely by
the international community and members of civil society,
there will be no formal observation missions from the
Organization of American States or the UN.
The peaceful conduct of the November 29 elections will be an
important step in moving out of the current political
impasse. For the sake of all Hondurans, we urge that they be
run freely and fairly, in a safe and secure environment.
Although the circumstances under which elections will take
place are less than ideal, Canada calls strongly for a
peaceful electoral process free from violence.
Once the elections have taken place, I urge all parties in
Honduras to focus anew on the full implementation of the
Tegucigalpa-San Jose Accord to enable Honduras to return to
TEGUCIGALP 00001229 002 OF 002
democratic rule and constitutional order.
End Text.
LLORENS