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DE RUEHTG #1298 3502113
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 162113Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY TEGUCIGALPA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1332
INFO RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS PRIORITY
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RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
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UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001298 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI HO
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT-ELECT LAUNCHES NATIONAL DIALOGUE 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary:  President-elect Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo 
presided over a meeting on December 14 with representatives 
of many sectors of Honduran society, following up on his 
announced intention to create a dialogue with the Honduran 
people in order for his administration to be an inclusive 
one.  Lobo believes his national dialogue will help unify the 
Honduran people, who have been deeply polarized by the 
country's political crisis.  In addition, it could help give 
a voice to many Hondurans who feel they have been excluded 
for too long from their country's decision-making process. 
End Summary. 
 
¶2. (U) President-elect Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo launched a 
national dialogue on December 14.  Lobo and his advisors met 
in a Tegucigalpa hotel with representatives of professional 
and business organizations, religious groups, unions, and 
cooperatives.  The anti-coup pro-Zelaya movement known as the 
"resistance" was invited, but did not attend.  According to 
press reports, more than 60 persons spoke at the event.  The 
press reported that Lobo said his government will be marked 
by austerity and the lack of tolerance for corruption. 
 
¶3. (U) According to Lobo, the purpose of the event was to 
create a dialogue with the Honduran people and establish a 
permanent relationship and channel of communication between 
the nation's president and its citizens.  Lobo has said that 
he wants to govern on behalf of all Hondurans and his goal is 
for his administration to be inclusive of all sectors of 
Honduran society.  He also believes that a national dialogue 
will help repair the damage caused by the political crisis of 
the last several months.  Lobo wants to encourage direct 
participation by those who in the past have been excluded 
from public and political decision-making.  The Lobo 
administration plans for this to be the first of several 
meetings and for this dialogue to continue throughout its 
four-year term, but especially during the first months of its 
term of office. 
 
¶4. (U) The press reported that crime, frequent strikes by 
teachers, the lack of land titles, and the recurring flooding 
of the nation's capital were issues brought to Lobo's 
attention by those who took the floor at the event.  The 
press said that business groups called for strengthening of 
innovation and technology in the sector and for capacity 
building for the labor force.  The agricultural sector 
reportedly called for technical assistance and technology to 
improve planting and harvesting.  According to the press, the 
organizations present agreed to reach out to the most 
excluded members of society and gather their concerns and 
transmit them to the Lobo government. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Comment: Lobo's launch of a national dialogue is a 
sure sign that his administration is committed to listen to 
the people and seek to unify a badly divided nation.  Many 
Hondurans feel marginalized, left out, and unable to have an 
impact on public sector decisions that affect their everyday 
lives.  The situation has been worsened by anxiety created 
by the political crisis.  Lobo's national dialogue is an 
excellent step towards addressing these concerns. 
LLORENS