TFH01: MICHELETTI AGREES TO A NATIONAL DIALOGUE IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 000991 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2019 TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL HO SUBJECT: TFH01: MICHELETTI AGREES TO A NATIONAL DIALOGUE IN MEETING WITH INSULZA Classified By: Ambassador Hugo Llorens, reasons 1.4 (b & d) ¶1. (C) De facto regime head Roberto Micheletti told OAS Secretary Jose Miguel Insulza that he would convoke a meeting with President Manuel "Mel" Zelaya's cabinet members and other political actors in a national dialogue to promote reconciliation, at the end of a meeting held by the two September 29 at Honduran Soto Cano Air Force Base. Micheletti also agreed to allow an OAS-led foreign ministers group into Honduras on October 7 (and an advance group on October 2). Insulza told Micheletti that they would only come if the dialogue had started. Insulza aide John Biehl, who attended the meeting, briefed the Ambassador and DCM following the meeting. Others in attendance at the Soto Cano meeting included de facto foreign minister Carlos Lopez Contreras, former president Ricardo Maduro, and Tegucigalpa mayor Ricardo Alvarez. ¶2. (C) Biehl said that the meeting began with Micheletti and Lopez attacking Insulza, the OAS, and the US Ambassador, accusing them of being responsible for the current situation by not allowing Honduras to take legal action against Zelaya and for "allowing" Zelaya to coordinate his supporters from within the Brazilian embassy. Eventually, however, the two sides warmed to each other with both agreeing that a formula had to be found for the November elections to be held with international approval. Insulza argued that this could only be done after Hondurans from both sides came to an agreement based on the San Jose process. In response, Micheletti said that he would convoke a national dialogue consisting of representatives from his regime, members of Zelaya,s cabinet in Honduras, other Zelaya supporters, church representatives, presidential candidates, and others. Zelaya would not be invited to directly participate. Micheletti also said that he was open to a solution that allowed Zelaya to retake office after the November elections and before the January inauguration of a new president. ¶3. (C) Biehl is scheduled to meet with Lopez September 30 to discuss implementation of the dialogue and details on the OAS foreign ministers visit. ¶4. (C) Micheletti agreed to allow Biehl to visit Zelaya in the Brazilian embassy on September 30. Biehl said that Zelaya has signed a letter that he will give to Biehl repudiating violence. ¶5. (C) Comment: If Micheletti keeps his pledge; the dialogue could prove to be a breakthrough as it would finally bring all sides to the same table. We will continue to allow the OAS to take the lead, supporting as necessary. Former President Ricardo Maduro seemed to play a very prominent role in the negotiations. We believe that his presence, as well as that of Tegucigalpa Mayor Ricardo Alvarez, both National Party members, may suggest a deal in the works between Micheletti and National Party standard bearer Pepe Lobo, who is the front runner in the presidential race, on how to deal with Zelaya and San Jose. LLORENS