TFH01: CANADA CALLS FOR PEACEFUL ELECTIONS IN

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