G-16 REVIEWS MEMBER POSITIONS AND DISCUSSES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 000882 SIPDIS STATE FOR USAID E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREL PGOV KDEM XG HO SUBJECT: G-16 REVIEWS MEMBER POSITIONS AND DISCUSSES ENGAGEMENT WITH CANDIDATES ¶1. (C) Summary. The G-16 donors' group, currently chaired by Canada, met on September 2 to review meetings held on September 1 by the EU and OAS regarding Honduras' political crisis. There was discussion of the advisability of meetings between the G-16 and electoral candidates and the concern that such meetings could be interpreted as support for the electoral process. UNDP provided a briefing regarding the humanitarian situation in Honduras. End Summary. ¶2. (C) The Canadian representative provided a readout of the September 1 informal meeting between President Zelaya and the OAS Permanent Council. The Chair informed participants that a resolution is circulating at the OAS indicating that it would not recognize the results of any election in Honduras, November 29 or otherwise, under the Micheletti regime and calling on member states to do the same. EU Deliberations on Honduras -------------- ¶3. (C) The representative of Spain reported that Honduras was discussed at a September 1 meeting of the Council's Working Group on Latin America, but no decision was taken. He said the issue will be discussed at the Political/Security Committee to determine what measures the EU will take. On the question of electoral observers, he said some nations support sending observers, some oppose, and some want to follow whatever line the OAS takes on the issue. The EU representative said it is likely there will be a declaration following a meeting of the Council scheduled for September 14-15. The Spanish representative said it was decided that the EU cannot continue commercial negotiations with Central America without Honduras and that the Central American nations need to decide how to proceed. On President Zelaya's call for withdrawal of Ambassadors, the Spanish representative said it was decided this would be examined on a case by case basis and decided unilaterally by EU member nations. Honduras at the UN -------------- ¶4. (C) The representative of UNDP said heads of state are scheduled to address the UN General Assembly September 22-26. He said President Zelaya will almost certainly avail himself of such an opportunity to address the world community. He informed the meeting participants that Honduras is not on the program of the General Assembly, but added that this does not �0A;preclude introduction of a resolution on Honduras. The UNDP representative noted that President Zelaya's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jorge Arturo Reina, has been very active at the UN and protests any actions he views as indicative of recognition of the de facto government, including the provision of elections support through UNDP. Meetings with Candidates -------------- ¶5. (C) The Chair raised the issue of contact by the G-16 with presidential candidates and their technical teams. The coordinators of the G-16 working groups have expressed concern that meetings with the candidates could be viewed as unconditional recognition of the electoral process. A forum with candidates and their technical teams had been planned for mid-September before the coup. The Chair solicited members' views on contact with candidates and their technical teams. The U.S. delegation stated that the Embassy has held private meetings with some of the presidential candidates. The Spanish representative said his government has terminated all technical level contact. Japan favored contact with candidates, but expressed caution regarding press coverage to avoid manipulation by candidates to their advantage. Sweden noted that it does not consider the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) to be part of the government, but noted that this may have to be re-evaluated if the San Jose Accord is not signed. The representative of Switzerland noted that her government also views the TSE as an independent organization. TEGUCIGALP 00000882 002 OF 002 She said she sees a difference between public and private meetings with candidates, but noted that she has not raised the issue with Bern. The German representative said he needs to clear meetings with Berlin. The representative of France said his Embassy is authorized to meet with candidates. The EU representative said Brussels has not prohibited meetings with candidates, but the mission has not had any. The UN representative said the UN maintains contact with the TSE. He said private meetings with candidates are not prohibited by the UN, but have not occurred. He urged, however, that meetings with candidates regarding G-16 support for their campaigns should be postponed because they could be misinterpreted as unconditional support for the electoral process. ¶6. (C) The Chair stated that the consensus seemed to be that time should be given for the OAS position on the elections to evolve. He noted that there was consensus from participants that any contact with candidates by the G-16 would require guidelines, but that it would be difficult to ensure compliance with the guidelines by the candidates. Humanitarian Situation -------------- ¶7. (SBU) UNDP provided a briefing on the humanitarian situation in Honduras. According to UNDP, it is estimated that in 2008 and 2009 there are 14,000 new households that suffer hunger. In addition, problems with the next harvest are possible. UNDP proposes to lessen the potential impact of the country's crisis while creating a better perspective for recovery. Representatives from both IDB and the World Bank expressed personal concern for the impact of the suspension of international assistance on Hondurans. HENSHAW