THF01: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH G-16 DONORS

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 000909 SIPDIS STATE FOR USAID E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/09/2019 TAGS: EAID PREL PGOV KDEM XG HO SUBJECT: THF01: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH G-16 DONORS REF: TEGUCIGALPA 885 Classified By: Ambassador Hugo Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) Summary. The Ambassador briefed the G-16 donors' group, in a September 9 meeting at his residence, on U.S. policy. According to the UNDP representative, some UN member states are calling on the UN to halt its technical electoral assistance in Honduras. He encouraged nations who disagree with cutting off assistance to lobby the UN. The Swedish representative said his government is concerned that the technical assistance it provides to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) could be construed as support for the electoral process and may decide to terminate it. The Spanish representative said it is unlikely that the EU will send election observers to Honduras, but that a decision will be reached on September 15. End Summary. ¶2. (C) The UNDP representative said the de facto regime is trying to run out the clock on President Zelaya and hang on until the January 27 inauguration of the government elected on November 29. He said the international community must continue to deliver the message after January 2010 that the coup d'etat that took place on June 28 will not be tolerated. Electoral Technical Assistance -------------- ¶3. (C) The UNDP representative told the G-16 that many UN member states are exerting pressure on the UN to halt its technical assistance to the electoral process in Honduras. He said that, while it is clear that technical assistance cannot be portrayed as support for the de facto regime, he believes it would be disadvantageous for the UN to halt its assistance. He encouraged UN member nations who want this technical assistance to continue lobby the UN. ¶4. (C) The Swedish representative said his government is concerned that the technical support it provides to the TSE could be interpreted as support for the electoral process. He said it is likely that Sweden will decide to terminate that assistance as of a particular date yet to be determined. He noted that President Zelaya has mentioned September 30 as the cutoff date for negotiation of the San Jose Accord. Election Observers -------------- ¶5. (C) The Spanish Charge said EU member nations have differing positions on recognition of the electoral process, but that consensus exists among them that sending an ambivalent message to the de facto regime must be avoided. The Spanish diplomat told the meeting participants that on September 15 the EU Council will decide whether to send a delegation of election observers and that it is likely that the decision will be not to do so. He noted that such a decision could be reversed if there is progress on restoration of democratic and constitutional order in Honduras. He advised that the EU is considering adoption of other measures, such as denying visas to de facto regime members. He added, however, that the actions most likely to have an impact on the de facto regime are those having to do with the electoral process. ¶6. (C) The Canadian representative, who is the chair of the G-16, said the OAS has indicated it would need four to six weeks to be able to put together a delegation of election observers. He added that the OAS has not made any contingency plans to send observers and that any agreement to do so would have to be signed by President Zelaya since the OAS could not enter into an agreement with the de facto regime that it does not recognize. LLORENS