Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TEGUCIGALPA515
2009-06-29 22:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Cable title:
ZELAYA DISCUSSES CURRENT SITUATION WITH AMBASSADOR
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 000515
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CEN
WHA/FO FOR A/S SHANNON AND DAS DAVE ROBINSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL HO
SUBJECT: ZELAYA DISCUSSES CURRENT SITUATION WITH AMBASSADOR
TEGUCIGALP 00000515 001.2 OF 002
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 000515
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CEN
WHA/FO FOR A/S SHANNON AND DAS DAVE ROBINSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL HO
SUBJECT: ZELAYA DISCUSSES CURRENT SITUATION WITH AMBASSADOR
TEGUCIGALP 00000515 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Ambassador Hugo Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b & d).
1. (C) Summary: The Ambassador spoke to President Manuel
"Mel" Zelaya on June 29. Zelaya briefed the Ambassador on
the current diplomatic initiatives being undertaken by the
OAS, UN and SICA in support of his government. He expressed
appreciation for the clear U.S. response to the coup. The
Ambassador briefed him on the current situation in the
country and reiterated the U.S. rejection of the Micheletti
regime and our adoption of a non-contact policy. Zelaya
expressed the hope that violence could be avoided and that a
negotiated solution could be found to allow him to return to
Honduras and finish out his term. He expressed the hope that
the OAS with U.S. support could help achieve a solution that
could result in the re-establishment of the democratic order,
but without vengeance. Zelaya also expressed gratitude for
the U.S. effort to support his family in Honduras. End
Summary.
2. (C) On June 29, the Ambassador spoke with President
Zelaya. Zelaya said that he was in Managua attending the
SICA meeting. He expressed appreciation for the U.S.
position in support of democracy in Honduras. He said he was
receiving universally strong international support. Zelaya
mentioned he had received many calls from heads of state
around the world including Presidents Lula, Bachelet and
Kirchner. Zelaya said he expected the ALBA countries to
withdraw their Ambassadors from Honduras in protest over the
coup. He also said he expected the OAS to consider the
suspension of Honduras from the organization consistent with
the Democratic Charter. Zelaya said he was scheduled to
travel to New York tomorrow and speak at the United Nations.
He also planned to attend and participate in the OAS
deliberations on Honduras to be held in Washington.
3. (C) The Ambassador briefed Zelaya on the situation on the
ground in Honduras. He reiterated the U.S. total
condemnation of the coup and our support for the restoration
of the constitutional order. He underscored that the U.S.
did not recognize the illegitimate government of Roberto
Micheletti and had adopted a non-contact policy. The
Ambassador said that the U.S. was demanding that the current
authorities lift existing controls on television, radio and
other media outlets, and release all officials that are
detained. The Ambassador stressed that the U.S. would be
working in the OAS to reaffirm support for democracy in
Honduras and to coordinate the regional and international
responses to the coup. He said senior level meetings were
ongoing in Washington.
4. (C) Zelaya expressed appreciation for U.S. solidarity. He
mentioned President Obama's and Secretary Clinton's strong
statements of support. He also appreciated the Ambassador's
press conference where he clearly condemned the coup. Beyond
international condemnation and specific actions taken against
the de facto regime, he expressed the hope that a negotiated
solution could be found to the problem. The key was to avoid
violence and to initiate a process of dialogue that would
allow his return and the re-establishment of his government
but in a manner that could bring the Honduran family back
together. Zelaya said he was willing to negotiate and was
not seeking vengeance. Zelaya responded that the OAS with
U.S. support could play a positive role in support for his
"negotiated" return. He warned that if he was excluded from
his rightful place in the political process, it would
undermine future political stability and the elections
process in Honduras.
5. (C) The Ambassador also briefed Zelaya on U.S. assistance
to his family. He said he had been in constant touch with
the First Lady who was in hiding in Olancho. He noted the
TEGUCIGALP 00000515 002.2 OF 002
First Lady's concern for the welfare of her children who were
staying in private homes in Tegucigalpa. The Ambassador said
he had picked up his youngest son, Jose Manuel, at a private
residence brought him to his residence the previous evening
where he was staying as a guest. Zelaya was clearly moved
and said he would not forget the U.S. action in support of
his family. The Ambassador mentioned the offer by Salvadoran
President Mauricio Funes to send an aircraft to Tegucigalpa
to bring the family out of the country. Zelaya said he
greatly appreciated the Salvadoran offer and U.S. involvement
in these contacts. However, he said that he wanted to
maintain his family in the country if possible for fear that
his properties might be seized.
6. (C) Comment: Zelaya seemed to be calmer and more focused
than in the conversation of June 28. We will stay in touch
with him and provide support as appropriate.
LLORENS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CEN
WHA/FO FOR A/S SHANNON AND DAS DAVE ROBINSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL HO
SUBJECT: ZELAYA DISCUSSES CURRENT SITUATION WITH AMBASSADOR
TEGUCIGALP 00000515 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Ambassador Hugo Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b & d).
1. (C) Summary: The Ambassador spoke to President Manuel
"Mel" Zelaya on June 29. Zelaya briefed the Ambassador on
the current diplomatic initiatives being undertaken by the
OAS, UN and SICA in support of his government. He expressed
appreciation for the clear U.S. response to the coup. The
Ambassador briefed him on the current situation in the
country and reiterated the U.S. rejection of the Micheletti
regime and our adoption of a non-contact policy. Zelaya
expressed the hope that violence could be avoided and that a
negotiated solution could be found to allow him to return to
Honduras and finish out his term. He expressed the hope that
the OAS with U.S. support could help achieve a solution that
could result in the re-establishment of the democratic order,
but without vengeance. Zelaya also expressed gratitude for
the U.S. effort to support his family in Honduras. End
Summary.
2. (C) On June 29, the Ambassador spoke with President
Zelaya. Zelaya said that he was in Managua attending the
SICA meeting. He expressed appreciation for the U.S.
position in support of democracy in Honduras. He said he was
receiving universally strong international support. Zelaya
mentioned he had received many calls from heads of state
around the world including Presidents Lula, Bachelet and
Kirchner. Zelaya said he expected the ALBA countries to
withdraw their Ambassadors from Honduras in protest over the
coup. He also said he expected the OAS to consider the
suspension of Honduras from the organization consistent with
the Democratic Charter. Zelaya said he was scheduled to
travel to New York tomorrow and speak at the United Nations.
He also planned to attend and participate in the OAS
deliberations on Honduras to be held in Washington.
3. (C) The Ambassador briefed Zelaya on the situation on the
ground in Honduras. He reiterated the U.S. total
condemnation of the coup and our support for the restoration
of the constitutional order. He underscored that the U.S.
did not recognize the illegitimate government of Roberto
Micheletti and had adopted a non-contact policy. The
Ambassador said that the U.S. was demanding that the current
authorities lift existing controls on television, radio and
other media outlets, and release all officials that are
detained. The Ambassador stressed that the U.S. would be
working in the OAS to reaffirm support for democracy in
Honduras and to coordinate the regional and international
responses to the coup. He said senior level meetings were
ongoing in Washington.
4. (C) Zelaya expressed appreciation for U.S. solidarity. He
mentioned President Obama's and Secretary Clinton's strong
statements of support. He also appreciated the Ambassador's
press conference where he clearly condemned the coup. Beyond
international condemnation and specific actions taken against
the de facto regime, he expressed the hope that a negotiated
solution could be found to the problem. The key was to avoid
violence and to initiate a process of dialogue that would
allow his return and the re-establishment of his government
but in a manner that could bring the Honduran family back
together. Zelaya said he was willing to negotiate and was
not seeking vengeance. Zelaya responded that the OAS with
U.S. support could play a positive role in support for his
"negotiated" return. He warned that if he was excluded from
his rightful place in the political process, it would
undermine future political stability and the elections
process in Honduras.
5. (C) The Ambassador also briefed Zelaya on U.S. assistance
to his family. He said he had been in constant touch with
the First Lady who was in hiding in Olancho. He noted the
TEGUCIGALP 00000515 002.2 OF 002
First Lady's concern for the welfare of her children who were
staying in private homes in Tegucigalpa. The Ambassador said
he had picked up his youngest son, Jose Manuel, at a private
residence brought him to his residence the previous evening
where he was staying as a guest. Zelaya was clearly moved
and said he would not forget the U.S. action in support of
his family. The Ambassador mentioned the offer by Salvadoran
President Mauricio Funes to send an aircraft to Tegucigalpa
to bring the family out of the country. Zelaya said he
greatly appreciated the Salvadoran offer and U.S. involvement
in these contacts. However, he said that he wanted to
maintain his family in the country if possible for fear that
his properties might be seized.
6. (C) Comment: Zelaya seemed to be calmer and more focused
than in the conversation of June 28. We will stay in touch
with him and provide support as appropriate.
LLORENS