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