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DE RUEHTG #1095 3032206
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R 302206Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY TEGUCIGALPA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0971
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RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
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RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
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RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP WASHINGTON DC 1236
RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RHMFISS/CDR JTF-BRAVO
RUEIDN/DNI WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001095 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA A/S TOM SHANNON 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM HO
SUBJECT:  TFHO1:  AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH CONGRESSIONAL 
REPRESENTATIVE AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE CESAR HAM 
 
REF: TEGUCIGALPA 617 
 
¶1.  Summary:  The Ambassador met with Cesar Ham, congressional 
representative and presidential candidate for the Democratic Union 
Party (UD) on October 27.  Ham was accompanied by other UD leaders. 
Ham reasserted his support for the restitution of President Zelaya. 
While expressing concern for some aspects of the upcoming elections, 
Ham recognized the inevitability of the November 29 general 
elections and expressed the UD's desire to participate fully in the 
process.  The Ambassador restated USG support for the restoration of 
democracy through a negotiated agreement - one not imposed by the 
United States or anyone else - and encouraged the UD to participate 
in the elections and not lose a historic opportunity.  End summary. 
 
¶2.  Cesar Ham, a vocal supporter of President Zelaya's push for a 
constituent assembly before the coup and ardent opponent of the coup 
since, requested the  meeting to convey the UD point of view 
regarding the crisis and the Guaymuras phase of negotiations (Note: 
Ham joined four other presidential candidates in a September visit 
to Costa Rica to discuss the San Jose Accord, but unlike the other 
candidates, did not sign the communique at the end of the trip, 
stating it did not go far enough to support the restoration of 
Zelaya to office.  Following the San Jose trip, he did not join the 
other four candidates in their joint public statements regarding the 
crisis.  End note).  Ham was accompanied by Marvin Ponce, a UD 
member of Congress, and Martin Pineda, Secretary of the UD. 
 
¶3.  Ham and his colleagues restated the UD's commitment to calling 
for the restitution of Zelaya before the elections.  They noted 
there was little time left to campaign and that not all candidates 
have been able to participate fully up to now.  They worried about 
the suspension of the dialogue and the position of the Micheletti 
regime that appears to put elections before all else.  They noted 
the residual effects of the decree that suspended civil liberties, 
and that conditions for the elections remained poor.  Pineda said 
that many people were wondering if Zelaya could possibly return 
before the elections, and that this question created much doubt and 
uncertainty among voters.  Ham and colleagues expressed a desire to 
know Zelaya's position on what might happen without restitution. 
They said that they have been unable to contact Zelaya directly and 
asked the Ambassador to talk with him. 
 
¶4.  Despite these concerns, Ham said that he and the UD, in the end, 
want elections, they being central to democracy.  He noted that the 
elections appeared to be organized and progressing well.  Ham said 
people could and should continue to fight with their vote rather 
than with arms.  His colleagues recognized that the UD is positioned 
like never before for significant gains in congressional seats, and 
that to boycott the elections or withdraw would mean passing up a 
historic opportunity.  After all, noted Ham, the UD is fighting for 
democracy and the ability to promote the UD's agenda, not Zelaya. 
An appeal to Zelaya could unlock the possibility of an international 
electoral observation mission, which would be critical, according to 
the UD, to guaranteeing a clean election.  In the end, Ham and his 
UD colleagues asked what they could do to help forward a resolution 
to the crisis and ensure free and fair elections. 
 
¶5.  The Ambassador, for his part, emphasized that the USG position 
has been consistent from the outset - to support restitution and 
reestablishment of the democratic order.  He noted the support for 
the OAS and the tough measures that have been taken to pressure the 
de facto regime and their allies to negotiate.  However, the 
Ambassador also noted the complexity of the situation, the many 
errors of President Zelaya, and for these reasons the USG supported 
a negotiated solution.  The Ambassador said that with such an 
accord, support for the elections, including an international 
electoral observation mission, would be realized.  He noted the 
inevitability of and popular support for the elections, and that the 
UD should focus on the opportunity presented rather than the 
opportunity lost. 
LLORENS