Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TEGUCIGALPA627
2009-07-21 20:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Cable title:
TFH01: AMBASSADOR'S CONVERSATION WITH PRESIDENT
how-toVZCZCXRO2880 PP RUEHAO RUEHCD RUEHGA RUEHGD RUEHHA RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHMT RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHQU RUEHRD RUEHRG RUEHRS RUEHTM RUEHVC DE RUEHTG #0627 2022035 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 212035Z JUL 09 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY TEGUCIGALPA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0196 INFO RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS PRIORITY RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHDC PRIORITY RUMIAAA/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY RUMIAAA/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL//CINC/POLAD// PRIORITY RUEAHND/CDRJTFB SOTO CANO HO PRIORITY RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY 1123
C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 000627
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA A/S TOM SHANNON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM HO
SUBJECT: TFH01: AMBASSADOR'S CONVERSATION WITH PRESIDENT
ARIAS JULY 21
REF: A. TEGUCIGALPA 516
B. SECSTATE 69222
Classified By: Classified by Hugo Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b & d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 000627
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA A/S TOM SHANNON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM HO
SUBJECT: TFH01: AMBASSADOR'S CONVERSATION WITH PRESIDENT
ARIAS JULY 21
REF: A. TEGUCIGALPA 516
B. SECSTATE 69222
Classified By: Classified by Hugo Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b & d).
1. (C) President Arias called the Ambassador on July 21. He
said he was concerned with the hard line positions taken by
both the Zelaya and Micheletti sides. The Ambassador agreed
adding that de facto regime President Roberto Micheletti's
public statements were particularly unhelpful, including his
continued public rejection of the return of President Zelaya.
We both agreed that Zelaya's own public pronouncement that
he would continue to pursue his objective of convening a
constituent assembly also would engender a negative reaction
and harden positions in the Micheletti camp. The Ambassador
briefed Arias on ongoing Washington and Embassy efforts in
support of his efforts. President Arias was extremely
appreciative of the Secretary's call to Micheletti. He also
thanked us for our efforts in Tegucigalpa to reach out to
political, civil society and business leaders and seek their
support for his mediation.
2. (C) Arias said that both sides remained far apart and
there was still no agreement to meet tomorrow, July 22. He
said that he had received a counterproposal from the
Micheletti side that spoke of restoring the branches of
government, but without explicitly mentioning Zelaya's
status. Nevertheless, both he and the Ambassador agreed that
the language added got us a step closer to the formal
acceptance of the restitution of President Zelaya. The
Micheletti side also proposed the maintenance of the status
quo in the military, National Congress, the Attorney General
and the Supreme Court. Arias opined that this would be very
difficult to accept. For example, he said the Attorney
General had been directly involved in the coup, and clearly
there would have to be changes in the military high command.
Arias also added that the Micheletti counterproposal accepted
the issue of political amnesty but also added a moratorium on
criminal prosecutions until January 27, 2010. Arias said he
would consider the Micheletti counterproposal and respond
with his suggestions with the hope of getting us closer to an
agreement.
3. (C) Arias concluded by saying he was very concerned by
public statements made by President Zelaya that he planned to
return to Honduras very soon. The Ambassador responded that
he would reach out to Zelaya and discourage him from
returning emphasizing the potential for violence.
LLORENS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA A/S TOM SHANNON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM HO
SUBJECT: TFH01: AMBASSADOR'S CONVERSATION WITH PRESIDENT
ARIAS JULY 21
REF: A. TEGUCIGALPA 516
B. SECSTATE 69222
Classified By: Classified by Hugo Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b & d).
1. (C) President Arias called the Ambassador on July 21. He
said he was concerned with the hard line positions taken by
both the Zelaya and Micheletti sides. The Ambassador agreed
adding that de facto regime President Roberto Micheletti's
public statements were particularly unhelpful, including his
continued public rejection of the return of President Zelaya.
We both agreed that Zelaya's own public pronouncement that
he would continue to pursue his objective of convening a
constituent assembly also would engender a negative reaction
and harden positions in the Micheletti camp. The Ambassador
briefed Arias on ongoing Washington and Embassy efforts in
support of his efforts. President Arias was extremely
appreciative of the Secretary's call to Micheletti. He also
thanked us for our efforts in Tegucigalpa to reach out to
political, civil society and business leaders and seek their
support for his mediation.
2. (C) Arias said that both sides remained far apart and
there was still no agreement to meet tomorrow, July 22. He
said that he had received a counterproposal from the
Micheletti side that spoke of restoring the branches of
government, but without explicitly mentioning Zelaya's
status. Nevertheless, both he and the Ambassador agreed that
the language added got us a step closer to the formal
acceptance of the restitution of President Zelaya. The
Micheletti side also proposed the maintenance of the status
quo in the military, National Congress, the Attorney General
and the Supreme Court. Arias opined that this would be very
difficult to accept. For example, he said the Attorney
General had been directly involved in the coup, and clearly
there would have to be changes in the military high command.
Arias also added that the Micheletti counterproposal accepted
the issue of political amnesty but also added a moratorium on
criminal prosecutions until January 27, 2010. Arias said he
would consider the Micheletti counterproposal and respond
with his suggestions with the hope of getting us closer to an
agreement.
3. (C) Arias concluded by saying he was very concerned by
public statements made by President Zelaya that he planned to
return to Honduras very soon. The Ambassador responded that
he would reach out to Zelaya and discourage him from
returning emphasizing the potential for violence.
LLORENS