AMBASSADOR SPEAKS WITH PRESIDENT ZELAYA AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 000544 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CEN A/S TOM SHANNON E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/06/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM HO SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR SPEAKS WITH PRESIDENT ZELAYA AND MINISTER PATRICIA RODAS Classified By: Classified by Hugo Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b & d) ¶1. (C) The Ambassador spoke today to President Zelaya. Zelaya informed the Ambassador that he was in Managua and said he was scheduled to fly to Washington at 1900 hrs. He thanked the Ambassador for hosting members of his family at the Residence. He also expressed appreciation for the strong support and solidarity he had received from the Obama Administration. The U.S. response to the coup had been strong and unequivocal. Zelaya briefed on the discussion he had had on July 4 with U.S. officials (PDAS Kelly, NSC Senior Director Restrepo, and Ambassador Morales). Zelaya said he was satisfied with the way things were developing and the solidarity he was getting from around the world. He was working closely with Insulza in finding a solution to the Honduran crisis. Zelaya said he strongly supported a multilateral approach to promote a national dialogue sponsored by the UN and the OAS to deal with the crisis. He said all of the discussion needed to framed within the context of the Democratic Charter. He said it was extremely important that the end point of the process reestablish constitutional order and democracy in Honduras, and guarantee the electoral process so as to ensure a smooth transition. He mentioned that the dialogue needed to be held outside of Honduras, possibly in Mexico, the Dominican Republic or Costa Rica. He said Argentine President Cristina Kirchner had been especially helpful in giving him good guidance and advice. He said he would support a mediation effort by a respected figure like President Arias of Costa Rica. Zelaya discussed other issues that needed to be dealt with in the talks. On the Fourth Urn he mentioned that this was an issue that could no longer be dealt with bilaterally. He proposed that the issue be considered by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. ¶2. (C) Zelaya stressed that his political approach would remain aggressive in public. He understood concerns about his attempt to return to Honduran on July 5. He said he had done this to maintain the support of his followers. Nevertheless, he knew the only way forward was through the holding of balanced negotiations that took everyone's interests into account. He said he was looking forward to meeting with Secretary Clinton tomorrow and expected the Secretary to convey her strong support for the OAS-UN supported dialogue process. He also said that he hoped that following the meeting a brief press conference could be held so that both could convey their common approach on the way ahead. The Ambassador told Zelaya he would pass on his request to the Department. ¶3. (C) The Ambassador also spoke to Foreign Minister Patricia Rodas. She raised concerns about Ambassador Roberto Flores's efforts to maintain control of the Chancery and Residence in Washington despite his dismissal. The Ambassador told her that Washington was expected to issue a note today that would ensure that Ambassador Flores would vacate the Embassy soonest. The Ambassador noted that Flores was a very professional career diplomat and expected that once he received the note he would promptly vacate the diplomatic premises. Rodas said Zelaya had appointed Private Secretary Enrique Reina to run the Embassy in Washington. He also said that Zelaya would be spending time in Washington and planned to work out of an office in the Embassy. He was also likely to use the Ambassador's residence. LLORENS