Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TEGUCIGALPA991
2009-09-30 01:33:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Cable title:
TFH01: MICHELETTI AGREES TO A NATIONAL DIALOGUE IN
how-toVZCZCXRO7474 OO RUEHAO RUEHCD RUEHGA RUEHGD RUEHHA RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHMT RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHQU RUEHRD RUEHRG RUEHRS RUEHTM RUEHVC DE RUEHTG #0991 2730133 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 300133Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY TEGUCIGALPA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0782 INFO RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS IMMEDIATE RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE 1212 RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL//CINC/POLAD// IMMEDIATE RUEAHND/CDRJTFB SOTO CANO HO IMMEDIATE
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)
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
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