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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 000632 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA A/S/ TOM SHANNON 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL HO
SUBJECT: TFH01: HONDURAN COUP: POLITICAL WRAP-UP 07/21/09 
 
REF: A. TEGUCIGALPA 619 
     ¶B. TEGUCIGALPA 608 AND PREVIOUS 
     ¶C. TEGUCIGALPA 602 
     ¶D. TEGUCIGALPA 599 
 
¶1. (U) Summary: This is another in a series of daily 
round-ups of political news in the aftermath of the June 28 
forcible removal and exile of President Manuel Zelaya from 
Honduras.  End Summary. 
 
-------------------------------------------- 
Micheletti Remains Firm in his Public Stance 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (U) On July 20 defacto regime president Micheletti stated 
publicly that Zelaya cannot come back as president; he can 
only return to Honduras to face criminal charges. 
Micheletti's cabinet met yesterday at the Presidential Palace 
with members of the business community and civil society who 
support the de facto regime.  Micheletti was quoted as 
saying, "my position is unchangeable, we have received 
pressure from all sides but we will not accept Zelaya's 
return under any circumstances." 
 
¶3. (U) Micheletti claims he still supports the dialogue in 
Costa Rica, and his government is using these 72 hours to 
look for a positive solution to the political crisis that 
does not involve the return of Zelaya to the presidency. 
However, Embassy outreach to political, business, church and 
civil society leaders is beginning to have an impact in 
changing views in favor of supporting the Arias mediation. 
Micheletti continues to affirm that he will step down as 
President on January 27, 2010 after a new President is 
elected on November 29. 
 
---------------------------------- 
Honduras Reaction to Suspended AID 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (U) Local Press reported that The Secretary had called 
Micheletti explaining the consequences a failed negotiation 
could have on U.S. assistance to Honduras.  Micheletti in 
response requested that the Secretary send people to Honduras 
to truly evaluate the situation in Honduras and especially 
how the human rights situation is. 
 
¶5. (U) The European Union announced yesterday that they were 
freezing 65.5 million Euros (USD 91.7 million) of aid to 
Honduras.  The EU countries have also recalled its 
ambassadors and have reduced contact with the de facto 
government.  Unfortunately, the EU Mission continues to meet 
with Micheletti regime officials up to the level of Vice 
Minister. 
 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
De Facto Government has Business Community Support 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶6. (U) The president of The Honduran Private Enterprise 
Counsel (COHEP), Amilcar Bulnes, said publicly that his 
organization supports the de facto government and will not 
accept Zelaya's return to presidency.  Bulnes believes that 
the other countries and governments will slowly realize that 
they have made a mistake in prematurely condemning Honduras. 
Bulnes stated that business has returned to normal in 
Honduras, with the exception of the tourism sector which has 
been influenced the most by the political crisis. 
 
¶7. (U) The president of the National Federation of Honduran 
Agriculture (FENAGH), Santiago Ruiz, stated publicly that 
"Honduras is willing to put up with whatever extortion that 
comes from outside."  Ruiz stated that Honduras remains 
united against internal and external threats. 
 
¶8. (U) The president of the National Industrial Association 
(ANDI), Adolfo Facusse, stated publicly yesterday that if 
international pressure results in a lack of resources for 
Honduras the Honduran business community will step in to 
help.  Facusse suggested to the local press increased taxes 
for the rich and that businesses maintain stable prices. 
(Note: In a private meeting with the Ambassador on July 20, 
Facusse told the Ambassador that he would support a 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000632  002 OF 002 
 
 
negotiated agreement under the Arias mediation.  However, he 
stressed that the key was to incorporate strong monitoring 
and enforcement mechanisms to ensure full compliance by 
Zelaya.  End Note) 
 
--------------------------- 
Poor who Support Michelleti 
--------------------------- 
 
¶9. (U) EconOff visited with approximately 15 residents of 
Colonia Guaymuras, an impoverished community on the outskirts 
of Tegucigalpa.  Residents, who are very poor and largely 
uneducated, were eager to share their political beliefs and 
are very concerned about the political crisis in Honduras. 
They strongly support the de facto government and are very 
fearful of Zelaya's return.  They believe that Zelaya was 
stealing from the poor and would rather go without 
international support for six months than see Zelaya return. 
They fear violence and how poor communities like theirs will 
be affected due to the political crisis. 
 
---------------------- 
"Pepe" Lobo Speaks Out 
---------------------- 
 
¶10. (U) Local press reported that presidential candidate for 
the National Party, Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo Sosa, stated 
yesterday that unfortunately there is no desire for dialogue 
among Hondurans and he does not believe that there will be a 
solution within the 72 hours Arias gave both sides.  He asked 
Venezuela and the United States to let Honduras resolve the 
crisis alone and is concerned that Honduras is being 
threatened by its Northern and the Southern neighbors. 
 
------------------------------------------ 
Honduras gives Venezuela 72 Hours to Leave 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶11. (U) Deputy Foreign Minster Marta Lorena Alvarado declared 
on CNN en Espanol that the Venezuelan ambassador to Honduras 
and embassy personnel have 72 hours to leave Honduras.  She 
cited threats of "use of force" and disrespect of Honduran 
sovereignty as the reasons behind the expulsion.  The 
Honduran ambassador and embassy team in Caracas will depart 
Venezuela in the same 72 hour time-frame. 
 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
Disappearances and Media Censorship Declarations 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶12. (U) CNN en Espanol broadcasted a Honduran congressional 
and civil society delegation briefing at the National Press 
Club in Washington, D.C.  The delegation denounced the 
Micheletti de facto government for suppressing media outlets 
in the country that express a dissenting voice.  Radio Globo, 
Radio Progreso, and Channel 36 were named among those 
censored.  The team also made claims that several pro-Zelaya 
protesters have disappeared around the country following 
attendance at rallies and that intimidation tactics continue 
against human rights activists throughout Honduras.  The 
group called on the Micheletti de facto regime to reconsider 
their positions and accept the agreement proposed by 
President Arias to re-establish democracy in Honduras and end 
the international isolation that has resulted from the 
removal of Zelaya. 
 
--------------------------------------------- - 
Zelaya Supporters will Resume Strikes Thursday 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶13. (U) Zelaya supporters have announced publicly that they 
will begin strikes and roadblocks Thursday and that Zelaya 
will return on Friday. 
 
¶14. (U) Teachers returned to classes Monday but reportedly 
plan to strike again Thursday and Friday in support of 
Zelaya.  "El Heraldo" reported that teachers are instructing 
minors to join the resistance against the new government. 
LLORENS