TRUTH COMMISSION UPDATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 000136 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/11/2020 TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL PHUM HO SUBJECT: TRUTH COMMISSION UPDATE REF: TEGUCIGALPA Classified By: Ambassador Hugo Llorens, reason 1.4 (b & d) ¶1. (U) This is an action request see paragraph 3. ¶2. (C) Former Guatemalan VP Eduardo Stein spent the day in Tegucigalpa yesterday working on the terms of the reference for the creation of the Truth Commission (TC). The Ambassador spoke to him last night before he returned home to Guatemala. Stein said that he devoted the entire day to reviewing the details of the draft TC concept proposal he and Honduran lawyer Jorge Casco are preparing. He said that he had had a good meeting with President Pepe Lobo who reiterated his support and formalized his nomination as the Truth Commissioner coordinator. He said he would also serve as a commissioner of the TC. He said that he expected that there would be two other international commissioners, preferably former foreign ministers or former supreme court magistrates. He hinted that he would be responsible for identifying the international representatives to the TC. He noted that Lobo would be able to appoint two Hondurans to also serve in the TC. He said one of the commissioners should be an individual of high ethical standard, but Lobo has confidence in. The other should be a member of the opposition - and also an individual respected by Honduran society. He said a final draft of the TC concept will be completed and given to Lobo for his review on Saturday. Stein told the Ambassador the current plan is to launch the TC the week of February 22 - most likely February 25-26. He said he would work with the OAS to convene the Verification Commission in Tegucigalpa on those days to preside over the launch. ¶3. (C) Stein travels to New York today where he will be involved in a UN related project. He will return to Tegucigalpa sometime next week. He said he would send the Ambassador a copy of the draft concept for us to review. The Ambassador agreed to review it and send him our comments and suggestions (which will be based on our Department cleared concept paper). ¶4. (C) Comment and Action Request: The Embassy recommends that the Department begin to reach out to President Lagos and Secretary Solis and let them know that Pepe Lobo, Stein, and OAS Secretary General want them to come to Tegucigalpa the week of February 22 to formally launch the TC. We strongly support the presence of the Verification Commission in Tegucigalpa since its blessing of the TC will enhance the latter's international credibility/legitimacy and be consistent with the work we have done these many months in support of the Tegucigalpa-San Jose Accord, which has served so well as the framework for the solution of the Honduran crisis. LLORENS