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courage is contagious
Viewing cable 09TEGUCIGALPA1231, AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH PRESIDENT-ELECT PEPE LOBO
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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
09TEGUCIGALPA1231 | 2009-12-01 00:02 | 2011-08-30 01:44 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Tegucigalpa |
VZCZCXRO3378
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ZNY CCCCC ZZH
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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1215
INFO RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS PRIORITY
RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
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RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY 1260
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 001231
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2019
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL HO
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH PRESIDENT-ELECT PEPE LOBO
TEGUCIGALP 00001231 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Ambassador Hugo Llorens, reasons 1.4 (b & d)
¶1. (C) Summary: The Ambassador and President-elect Lobo met
on November 30. Both discussed the positive results of the
elections. The Ambassador briefed Lobo on the continued U.S.
approach post-election that included implementation of the
Tegucigalpa-San Jose Accord. They reviewed prospects for
Congressional restitution of President Zelaya, the need for
regime leader Micheletti to step aside, and the importance of
creating a government of national unity. Lobo said he was
looking forward to addressing the major socio-economic issues
facing the nation and discussed some of his plans to fight
corruption and be responsive to the needs of the common
people. End Summary.
¶2. (C) The Ambassador met with President-elect Pepe Lobo on
November 30. Lobo agreed to meet at the Ambassador's office
in the chancery. The Ambassador opened the exchange by
congratulating Lobo for his strong victory over his principal
rival, the Liberal Party's Elvin Santos. The Ambassador
added that the elections had been well managed by the Supreme
Elections Tribunal (TSE) and that the elections had been held
in a climate of peace and harmony, which had been impressive.
The Honduran people deserved great credit for their
commitment to democracy. Both agreed that Elvin Santos'
concession speech had been appropriate and helped create calm
following the TSE's announcement of the TREP results showing
Lobo's landslide victory. Lobo said that he believed voter
turn out had been strong and predicted that the numbers would
exceed the levels reached in the 2005 elections. He also
predicted that he would receive more than one million votes,
which would exceed President Zelaya's vote tally in 2005,
which had been 900,000.
¶3. (C) The Ambassador noted that the elections results were a
positive development and a necessary -- if insufficient --
condition to resolve the Honduran crisis. The Ambassador
discussed the U.S. commitment to the implementation of the
Tegucigalpa-San Jose Accord (TSJA). He said that Honduras,s
ability to normalize its ties with the international
community would hinge on decisions and actions taken in the
coming days. The Ambassador cited the imminent vote on
Zelaya's restitution scheduled for December 2. The
Ambassador said we hoped that the vote would be favorable to
restoration, but at the very least we would insist that the
Congress deal with this issue in a solemn, open and
transparent manner, ensuring open media coverage, debate and
a roll call vote. The Ambassador suggested to Lobo that he
needed to engage on this issue. Lobo expressed concern that
the National Congress had scheduled the vote too soon after
the elections. He added that if the vote were held on
December 2, he feared that Congress would reject Zelaya's
restitution. He said that it would be far better if Congress
deliberated more slowly and that the vote happen later in the
week or early the following week. The Ambassador suggested
that Lobo encourage congressional leaders and his own
congressional delegation to support a serious consideration
of the issue, and added that a public expression of support
for restitution might be well received internationally.
¶4. (C) Lobo discussed the possibility that Congress would
vote to reject Zelaya's return. He said if this had happened
it was still in his best interest for Micheletti to not
return from his temporary absence. He said he had discussed
this matter with Chief of Defense General Romeo Vasquez
Velasquez. He said he had made his views known but had found
Vasquez somewhat unsure of what to do, and still somewhat
loyal to Micheletti. Both agreed that more lobbying was
needed to bring key players in support of Micheletti's
resignation. The Ambassador agreed to Lobo's request that
international officials reach out to Micheletti and also help
convince him and his close advisors to step down. Lobo
suggested that we enlist Panamanian President Martinelli and
said that Micheletti had great respect for Martinelli. He
noted that Martinelli was scheduled to visit Honduras on
December 9. Lobo and the Ambassador concurred that if
Micheletti resigned and Zelaya failed to be restored, it was
still critical to create a government of national unity
TEGUCIGALP 00001231 002.2 OF 002
consistent with the TSJA to serve in a transition role until
Lobo and his government assumed office on January 27, 2010.
¶5. (C) The Ambassador briefed Lobo on Assistant Secretary
Valenzuela's interest in speaking to him possibly today.
Lobo welcomed the opportunity to speak with him. The
Ambassador also briefed him on his conversation with
President Arias and Arias' attempts to be supportive of
Honduras at the Ibero-American Summit in Portugal. Lobo said
he had been trying to call Arias and had considered the
possibility of visiting him in San Jose.
¶6. (C) Lobo spoke of his interest in dealing with some of the
major issues confronting Honduras and outlined plans to deal
with the economic crisis, his commitment to fight crime, and
improve the educational and health systems. Lobo said he
wanted to send a message that he would not tolerate
corruption and would not hesitate on cracking down on
powerful individual business and political interests that
were violating the law. He also said that he greatly admired
President Uribe and would hope to emulate his constant
outreach to the common people, including by convening town
hall meetings around the country.
LLORENS