Cablegate: Security Council Meets On Situation in Brazilian

VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #0863 2731401
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 301401Z SEP 09
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7225
INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 1167
RUEHTG/AMEMBASSY TEGUCIGALPA PRIORITY 0167

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000863

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/25/2019
TAGS: PREL UNSC BR HO
SUBJECT: SECURITY COUNCIL MEETS ON SITUATION IN BRAZILIAN
EMBASSY IN TEGUCIGALPA

Classified By: Ambassador Susan E. Rice for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

1. (SBU) The Security Council met in consultations on
September 25 in response to a September 22 letter from the
Brazilian PermRep expressing concern about threats to the
inviolability of the Brazilian Embassy in Tegucigalpa, in
which Honduran President Zelaya has taken refuge. During
consultations, Council members agreed to move to the chamber
to hear from Brazilian Foreign Minister Amorim, and then
return to consultations to further discuss the matter.

2. (U) During the brief open session, FM Amorim outlined the
situation at the Brazilian Embassy, noting that since
President Zelaya had taken refuge there, the embassy has been
subject to "acts of harassment and intimidation by the de
facto authorities;" electricity, water, and telephones were
cut off, food delivery was "severely restricted," and
movements of Brazilian diplomats in and out of the embassy
premises were subject to interference. Amorim recalled the
Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and stressed that
the inviolability of embassies must be respected. The
Brazilian government, he said, is "gravely concerned" that
the perpetrators of the coup in Honduras might also threaten
the inviolability of the embassy in order to arrest Zelaya.

3. (C) Amorim also said that "I understand that, by calling
this meeting, the Security Council recognizes that the
situation of the Embassy of Brazil in Honduras constitutes a
threat to the peace and security of our region." (Comment:
Ambassador Rice underscored to Amorim privately after the
session that no such determination about the situation of the
Brazilian Embassy has been made by the Council. End
Comment.) He called for the Council to make a clear
statement on the situation, in order to deter its escalation.

4. (C) The Council then returned to consultations, during
which Council members expressed their concern at the
situation in the Brazilian Embassy in Tegucigalpa and noted
the need to reaffirm the inviolability of diplomatic
missions. They also noted concern about the rising tensions
in Honduras, emphasized the need to restore President Zelaya
to his position, and voiced support for the regional efforts
underway to defuse the situation. Members reached agreement
on brief press elements to be used by Ambassador Rice in
briefing the press after the meeting. The press elements are
below in paragraph 5.

5. (U) Press elements:

-- Members of the Council heard from the Foreign Minister of
Brazil.
-- They stressed the importance of respecting international
law through preserving the inviolability of the Embassy of
Brazil in Tegucigalpa and other protections afforded to it by
the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and ensuring
the safety of the individuals on its premises.
-- They condemned acts of intimidation against the Brazilian
Embassy and called upon the de facto government of Honduras
to cease harassing the Brazilian embassy and to provide all
necessary utilities and services including water,
electricity, food, and continuity of communications.
-- Respect and protection for the inviolability of diplomatic
premises is a universally accepted principle of international
relations.
-- The members of the Council call on all parties to remain
calm and avoid actions that escalate the situation or place
individuals at risk of harm.
-- The members of the Council voiced support for regional
mediation efforts facilitated by the OAS including those by
President Arias to reach a peaceful resolution.

RICE

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