TFH01: HONDURAS COUP: POLITICAL WRAP-UP 08/04/09

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000699 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PINR KDEM HO SUBJECT: TFH01: HONDURAS COUP: POLITICAL WRAP-UP 08/04/09 REF: TEGUCIGALPA 696 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. (U) This is another in a series of daily round-ups of political news in the aftermath of the June 28 forcible removal and exile of President Manuel Zelaya from Honduras. -------------- -------------- CONGRESS GIVES "GREEN LIGHT" ON POLITICAL AMNESTY -------------- -------------- ¶2. (U) On August 3, the Honduran National Congress approved a report by the special Commission, stating their willingness to discuss amnesty for political crimes. There must be agreement by all parties to the San Jose Accord and the amnesty must be consistent with the Constitution, law, and juridical decisions. Additional details will be reported septel. ¶3. (U) De facto regime leader Roberto Micheletti, meanwhile, issued a statement proclaiming that the previous president could never return to office, given Zelaya's declaration that the San Jose negotiations have failed. (Note: This was not an accurate rendition of Zelaya,s remarks. In addition, Zelaya affirmed his support for the negotiations in a statement in Mexico City on August 4. End note.) Micheletti, who was in San Pedro Sula speaking with members of the business community, added that "no one is above the law." More details of this meeting will be reported septel. ¶4. (U) A mission of foreign ministers could visit Honduras to try to move the parties closer to accepting the terms of the San Jose Accord, according to President Arias. The composition and mandate of the mission should be discussed at an OAS Permanent Council on Wednesday, August 5. ¶5. (U) According to local press, Micheletti stated that he had "no respect" for Secretary General Insulza, given his "rude" attitude during his visit to Honduras. Micheletti reaffirmed his support for President Arias, who he said would act "impartially." ¶6. (U) President Manuel Zelaya, who met with Mexican President Felipe Calderon today, has been invited to visit Brazil later this week, according to local press. -------------- MICHELETTI EMBRACES "HELPING HANDS" -------------- ¶7. (U) Roberto Micheletti and his wife Siomara hosted members of a U.S.-led medical brigade at the Presidential Palace. A photo of about 20 members of the group "Helping Hands for Honduras" with the Michelettis was displayed in the local press over the weekend. -------------- RADIO GLOBO SHUT DOWN -------------- ¶8. (SBU) According to the General Manager of Radio Globo Alejandro Villatoro, the National Telecommunications Commission informed him today that the frequencies of Radio Globo, which reaches a national audience, will be shut down. Pro-Zelaya Radio Globo has been documenting human rights violations committed by the de facto regime. UNHCR Special Rapporteur Frank La Rue, who is investigating freedom of expression violations, confirmed the order to close in an August 4 meeting with Ambassador Llorens. LLORENS