Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TEGUCIGALPA706
2009-08-06 17:02:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Cable title:
TFH01: HONDURAS COUP: SANTOS SUPPORTS SAN JOSE
how-toVZCZCXRO6587 OO RUEHAO RUEHCD RUEHGA RUEHGD RUEHGR RUEHHA RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHMT RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHQU RUEHRD RUEHRG RUEHRS RUEHTM RUEHVC DE RUEHTG #0706 2181702 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 061702Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY TEGUCIGALPA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0344 INFO RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RULGPSU/COMSOCSOUTH IMMEDIATE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEIDN/DNI WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUMIAAA/USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000706
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR KDEM HO
SUBJECT: TFH01: HONDURAS COUP: SANTOS SUPPORTS SAN JOSE
ACCORD
REF: TEGUCIGALPA 617
UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000706
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR KDEM HO
SUBJECT: TFH01: HONDURAS COUP: SANTOS SUPPORTS SAN JOSE
ACCORD
REF: TEGUCIGALPA 617
1. (U) Summary: In an August 5 national television
interview, Liberal Party presidential nominee Elvin Santos
expressed his support for the San Jose Accord, called for the
conditional return of President Zelaya, and stated that he
had no personal involvement in the events of June 28. End
Summary.
2. (U) Liberal Party presidential nominee Elvin Santos was
interviewed on Honduras' morning talk show "Face to Face" for
90 minutes on August 5. Renato Alvarez conducted the
interview, which covered a variety of topics.
3. (U) San Jose Accord: Santos clearly stated, "I support
the Arias Plan." At the same time, he expressed "strong
doubts" that it would come to fruition in the "coming hours."
4. (U) Return of Zelaya: Santos said that he believes
Zelaya should return as long as the return did not threaten
Honduran sovereignty or its political system. He cited
several statements by Chavez, Ortega, and Correa, which he
said suggested threats to Honduras.
5. (U) Accountability: Santos noted that Honduras will be
difficult to govern if Zelaya returns, given current
political polarization. He said that there will have to be
mechanisms that guarantee accountability, including the
imposition of an overseeing authority that could enforce the
agreements and remove Zelaya if he violates the agreement.
6. (U) June 28 events: Santos stated that he was not
involved in the events of June 28. He said that the events
did not qualify as a military coup, noting that the U.S.
Department of State had not classified the event as a coup.
He stated that "violations" occurred, such as the forced
exile of President Zelaya. He said that President Zelaya
should have been allowed to defend himself within the
country, though noting the military's claim that the removal
took place due to a "state of necessity."
7. (U) Path Forward: Santos said that he did not agree with
the path Zelaya was on before June 28, and that Zelaya had
broken the law. Santos expressed his belief that there
should be a "consultation" with the Honduran people on the
future of the country, but that it had to be held within a
legal framework. He said that it was important for the
Liberal Party to now unite around a new generation of
political leaders who can gain the trust of the international
community.
8. (SBU) Comment: Santos, who is now trailing Nationalist
Party candidate Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo in the polls (reftel),
was careful not to take any positions that would offend the
military or hurt his standing within the various elements of
the Liberal Party. At the same time, he attempted to
distance himself personally from the events of June 28,
knowing that the perception that in some way he was involved
in the coup or acquiescent of it will hurt him with Zelaya
faction Liberals. From Santos's perspective, the sooner he
and the Honduran people can focus on November 29 instead of
June 28, the better. End Comment.
LLORENS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR KDEM HO
SUBJECT: TFH01: HONDURAS COUP: SANTOS SUPPORTS SAN JOSE
ACCORD
REF: TEGUCIGALPA 617
1. (U) Summary: In an August 5 national television
interview, Liberal Party presidential nominee Elvin Santos
expressed his support for the San Jose Accord, called for the
conditional return of President Zelaya, and stated that he
had no personal involvement in the events of June 28. End
Summary.
2. (U) Liberal Party presidential nominee Elvin Santos was
interviewed on Honduras' morning talk show "Face to Face" for
90 minutes on August 5. Renato Alvarez conducted the
interview, which covered a variety of topics.
3. (U) San Jose Accord: Santos clearly stated, "I support
the Arias Plan." At the same time, he expressed "strong
doubts" that it would come to fruition in the "coming hours."
4. (U) Return of Zelaya: Santos said that he believes
Zelaya should return as long as the return did not threaten
Honduran sovereignty or its political system. He cited
several statements by Chavez, Ortega, and Correa, which he
said suggested threats to Honduras.
5. (U) Accountability: Santos noted that Honduras will be
difficult to govern if Zelaya returns, given current
political polarization. He said that there will have to be
mechanisms that guarantee accountability, including the
imposition of an overseeing authority that could enforce the
agreements and remove Zelaya if he violates the agreement.
6. (U) June 28 events: Santos stated that he was not
involved in the events of June 28. He said that the events
did not qualify as a military coup, noting that the U.S.
Department of State had not classified the event as a coup.
He stated that "violations" occurred, such as the forced
exile of President Zelaya. He said that President Zelaya
should have been allowed to defend himself within the
country, though noting the military's claim that the removal
took place due to a "state of necessity."
7. (U) Path Forward: Santos said that he did not agree with
the path Zelaya was on before June 28, and that Zelaya had
broken the law. Santos expressed his belief that there
should be a "consultation" with the Honduran people on the
future of the country, but that it had to be held within a
legal framework. He said that it was important for the
Liberal Party to now unite around a new generation of
political leaders who can gain the trust of the international
community.
8. (SBU) Comment: Santos, who is now trailing Nationalist
Party candidate Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo in the polls (reftel),
was careful not to take any positions that would offend the
military or hurt his standing within the various elements of
the Liberal Party. At the same time, he attempted to
distance himself personally from the events of June 28,
knowing that the perception that in some way he was involved
in the coup or acquiescent of it will hurt him with Zelaya
faction Liberals. From Santos's perspective, the sooner he
and the Honduran people can focus on November 29 instead of
June 28, the better. End Comment.
LLORENS