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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 000882 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR USAID 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID PREL PGOV KDEM XG HO
SUBJECT: G-16 REVIEWS MEMBER POSITIONS AND DISCUSSES 
ENGAGEMENT WITH CANDIDATES 
 
¶1. (C) Summary.  The G-16 donors' group, currently chaired by 
Canada, met on September 2 to review meetings held on 
September 1 by the EU and OAS regarding Honduras' political 
crisis.  There was discussion of the advisability of meetings 
between the G-16 and electoral candidates and the concern 
that such meetings could be interpreted as support for the 
electoral process. UNDP provided a briefing regarding the 
humanitarian situation in Honduras.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. (C) The Canadian representative provided a readout of the 
September 1 informal meeting between President Zelaya and the 
OAS Permanent Council.  The Chair informed participants that 
a resolution is circulating at the OAS indicating that it 
would not recognize the results of any election in Honduras, 
November 29 or otherwise, under the Micheletti regime and 
calling on member states to do the same. 
 
EU Deliberations on Honduras 
---------------------------- 
 
¶3. (C) The representative of Spain reported that Honduras was 
discussed at a September 1 meeting of the Council's Working 
Group on Latin America, but no decision was taken.  He said 
the issue will be discussed at the Political/Security 
Committee to determine what measures the EU will take.  On 
the question of electoral observers, he said some nations 
support sending observers, some oppose, and some want to 
follow whatever line the OAS takes on the issue.  The EU 
representative said it is likely there will be a declaration 
following a meeting of the Council scheduled for September 
14-15.  The Spanish representative said it was decided that 
the EU cannot continue commercial negotiations with Central 
America without Honduras and that the Central American 
nations need to decide how to proceed.  On President Zelaya's 
call for withdrawal of Ambassadors, the Spanish 
representative said it was decided this would be examined on 
a case by case basis and decided unilaterally by EU member 
nations. 
 
Honduras at the UN 
------------------ 
 
¶4. (C) The representative of UNDP said heads of state are 
scheduled to address the UN General Assembly September 22-26. 
 He said President Zelaya will almost certainly avail himself 
of such an opportunity to address the world community.  He 
informed the meeting participants that Honduras is not on the 
program of the General Assembly, but added that this does not 
preclude introduction of a resolution on Honduras.  The UNDP 
representative noted that President Zelaya's Permanent 
Representative to the United Nations, Jorge Arturo Reina, has 
been very active at the UN and protests any actions he views 
as indicative of recognition of the de facto government, 
including the provision of elections support through UNDP. 
 
Meetings with Candidates 
------------------------ 
 
¶5. (C) The Chair raised the issue of contact by the G-16 with 
presidential candidates and their technical teams.  The 
coordinators of the G-16 working groups have expressed 
concern that meetings with the candidates could be viewed as 
unconditional recognition of the electoral process.  A forum 
with candidates and their technical teams had been planned 
for mid-September before the coup.  The Chair solicited 
members' views on contact with candidates and their technical 
teams.  The U.S. delegation stated that the Embassy has held 
private meetings with some of the presidential candidates. 
The Spanish representative said his government has terminated 
all technical level contact.  Japan favored contact with 
candidates, but expressed caution regarding press coverage to 
avoid manipulation by candidates to their advantage.  Sweden 
noted that it does not consider the Supreme Electoral 
Tribunal (TSE) to be part of the government, but noted that 
this may have to be re-evaluated if the San Jose Accord is 
not signed.  The representative of Switzerland noted that her 
government also views the TSE as an independent organization. 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000882  002 OF 002 
 
 
 She said she sees a difference between public and private 
meetings with candidates, but noted that she has not raised 
the issue with Bern.  The German representative said he needs 
to clear meetings with Berlin.  The representative of France 
said his Embassy is authorized to meet with candidates.  The 
EU representative said Brussels has not prohibited meetings 
with candidates, but the mission has not had any.  The UN 
representative said the UN maintains contact with the TSE. 
He said private meetings with candidates are not prohibited 
by the UN, but have not occurred.  He urged, however, that 
meetings with candidates regarding G-16 support for their 
campaigns should be postponed because they could be 
misinterpreted as unconditional support for the electoral 
process. 
 
¶6. (C) The Chair stated that the consensus seemed to be that 
time should be given for the OAS position on the elections to 
evolve.  He noted that there was consensus from participants 
that any contact with candidates by the G-16 would require 
guidelines, but that it would be difficult to ensure 
compliance with the guidelines by the candidates. 
 
Humanitarian Situation 
---------------------- 
 
¶7. (SBU) UNDP provided a briefing on the humanitarian 
situation in Honduras.  According to UNDP, it is estimated 
that in 2008 and 2009 there are 14,000 new households that 
suffer hunger.  In addition, problems with the next harvest 
are possible.  UNDP proposes to lessen the potential impact 
of the country's crisis while creating a better perspective 
for recovery.  Representatives from both IDB and the World 
Bank expressed personal concern for the impact of the 
suspension of international assistance on Hondurans. 
 
HENSHAW