HONDURAN SOCIETY WELCOMES ARIAS TALKS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 000567

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2019
TAGS: PGOV CASC MARR KDEM PHUM HO ASEC
SUBJECT: HONDURAN SOCIETY WELCOMES ARIAS TALKS

REF: TEGUCIGALPA 555

Classified By: Ambassador Hugo Llorens, reasons 1.4 (b and d)


1. (U) Summary: Despite ongoing protests from both sides,
Hondurans appear to accept the U.S.-backed idea to bring
President Zelaya and the Micheletti regime together for talks
with President Arias of Costa Rica later this week. On
Tuesday, Congress held its first session since June 28, seven
days after the coup and swearing-in of Micheletti as de facto
president. Despite these attempts to return to normal, it
does not appear the de facto regime can pull off elections
earlier than already planned on November 29. From various
regime supporters there is concern that talks with Arias will
result in President Zelaya returning and not facing the
charges pending against him. End Summary.


2. (U) National media outlets reported heavily today on the
meeting between President Zelaya and the Secretary in
Washington on Tuesday. These reports indicate widespread
confidence that the mediation provided by Costa Rican
President Oscar Arias will pave the way toward peace.
Several articles credit the Secretary for her assistance in
reaching agreement among the parties on how to move forward.
There is some local negative reaction to the decision not to
recognize de facto regime Ambassador Roberto Flores Bermudez
and to issues surrounding the visa status of Flores and other
former Zelaya diplomats in Washington who now support the
Micheletti regime.


3. (C) In another sign that different sectors of society are
attempting to resume normal activity, Congress met on Tuesday
for the first time since June 28. Off the record discussions
among congressmen included possible "amnesty" for President
Zelaya, however no consensus or decision was reached.
Dissident members did not denounce the June 28 coup as they
indicated they might (Reftel). However, they did attempt to
circulate their July 3 statement to foreign reporters who
have come to Tegucigalpa to cover the crisis. Contacts state
Congress appointed a "technical commission" made up of
outside experts to study Honduran membership in the
Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) and its
implications for Honduras. Congress approved a motion
requesting the de facto regime to review the 111 laws
approved by Congress since 2006 that have not been signed or
published by the executive branch.


4. (C) Supporters of Micheletti express reserved confidence
in the talks in Costa Rica and a high level of respect for
Costa Rican President Arias. In a meeting with a Honduran
who has attended all "white" pro-Micheletti marches since the
group originated, she expressed to PolOff that an
overwhelming concern among that group with the talks in Costa
Rica is that President Zelaya could return to Honduras
without facing the charges made against him by the Honduran
Supreme Court. Furthermore, the contact stated that many in
the "white movement" recognize the need for dialogue but
express concern that the mediator, President Arias, has
already made known his opinion that President Zelaya's
removal was unconstitutional. The white group-member did
qualify this by explaining that many participants in the
group are not necessarily anti-Zelaya, but instead more
generally support justice and the rule of law and would
support the result of talks in Costa Rica if these principles
are respected.


5. (C) Many sectors have suggested moving general elections
sooner as a possible solution to the crisis in Honduras.
However, the Supreme Electoral Council (TSE) expressed
Tuesday it would be very difficult logistically to move up
the general elections scheduled for November 29. The TSE
said the elections were only 138 days away, and to be on
schedule TSE should have executed 30 percent of its election
funding by this point, whereas it has received only 3 percent
of its budget. A legal advisor in the office of the Vice
President of the Supreme Court that facilitated the order of
capture against President Zelaya told PolOff that the option
of accelerated elections is legally possible, but

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logistically unlikely. To the question of Costa Rica, the
legal advisor expressed to PolOff a deep respect for Costa
Rican President Arias. However, the Supreme Court advisor
expressed that there is worry among some Supreme Court staff
members that as a politician, Micheletti may negotiate away
some of the charges against President Zelaya. The legal
advisor described this possibility as bad for Honduran rule
of law and against the Supreme Court, stating that "all they
have wanted all along is justice."


6. (C) Comment: It appears from the Micheletti regime's
public pronouncements and Congress' docket they are working
to appear as though it is business as normal. The political
climate in Honduras suggests that many sectors support the
talks in Costa Rica that will occur this week. However,
there is disagreement on what should be negotiated and what
the end point should be. End Comment.
LLORENS