SECURITY COUNCIL MEETS ON SITUATION IN BRAZILIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000863 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/25/2019 TAGS: PREL UNSC BR HO SUBJECT: SECURITY COUNCIL MEETS ON SITUATION IN BRAZILIAN EMBASSY IN TEGUCIGALPA Classified By: Ambassador Susan E. Rice for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) The Security Council met in consultations on September 25 in response to a September 22 letter from the Brazilian PermRep expressing concern about threats to the inviolability of the Brazilian Embassy in Tegucigalpa, in which Honduran President Zelaya has taken refuge. During consultations, Council members agreed to move to the chamber to hear from Brazilian Foreign Minister Amorim, and then return to consultations to further discuss the matter. ¶2. (U) During the brief open session, FM Amorim outlined the situation at the Brazilian Embassy, noting that since President Zelaya had taken refuge there, the embassy has been subject to "acts of harassment and intimidation by the de facto authorities;" electricity, water, and telephones were cut off, food delivery was "severely restricted," and movements of Brazilian diplomats in and out of the embassy premises were subject to interference. Amorim recalled the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and stressed that the inviolability of embassies must be respected. The Brazilian government, he said, is "gravely concerned" that the perpetrators of the coup in Honduras might also threaten the inviolability of the embassy in order to arrest Zelaya. ¶3. (C) Amorim also said that "I understand that, by calling this meeting, the Security Council recognizes that the situation of the Embassy of Brazil in Honduras constitutes a threat to the peace and security of our region." (Comment: Ambassador Rice underscored to Amorim privately after the session that no such determination about the situation of the Brazilian Embassy has been made by the Council. End Comment.) He called for the Council to make a clear statement on the situation, in order to deter its escalation. ¶4. (C) The Council then returned to consultations, during which Council members expressed their concern at the situation in the Brazilian Embassy in Tegucigalpa and noted the need to reaffirm the inviolability of diplomatic missions. They also noted concern about the rising tensions in Honduras, emphasized the need to restore President Zelaya to his position, and voiced support for the regional efforts underway to defuse the situation. Members reached agreement on brief press elements to be used by Ambassador Rice in briefing the press after the meeting. The press elements are below in paragraph 5. ¶5. (U) Press elements: -- Members of the Council heard from the Foreign Minister of Brazil. -- They stressed the importance of respecting international law through preserving the inviolability of the Embassy of Brazil in Tegucigalpa and other protections afforded to it by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and ensuring the safety of the individuals on its premises. -- They condemned acts of intimidation against the Brazilian Embassy and called upon the de facto government of Honduras to cease harassing the Brazilian embassy and to provide all necessary utilities and services including water, electricity, food, and continuity of communications. -- Respect and protection for the inviolability of diplomatic premises is a universally accepted principle of international relations. -- The members of the Council call on all parties to remain calm and avoid actions that escalate the situation or place individuals at risk of harm. -- The members of the Council voiced support for regional mediation efforts facilitated by the OAS including those by President Arias to reach a peaceful resolution. RICE