166. Telegram 171 to Tegucigalpa, October 311
SUBJECT: Policy re Lopez. REF: Tegucigalpa 268.
1. Your analysis excellent. Your recommendations approved as general basis for continuing dialogue with Lopez and other Hondurans, with the understanding specific solutions which might develop will be referred to Department.
2. Following specific comments pertain:
a. For time being your recommendations are minimal U.S. objectives. Anything additional that might be accomplished (e.g. naming provisional civilian president or junta pending establishment new constitutional government) is desirable.
b. Your recommendation five seems to be logical final step after action completed on recommendations one through four. Believe [Facsimile Page 2] six to nine months timetable for establishment conciliatory civilian constitutional government reasonable. However, our position not repeat not absolutely rigid. Consult with Department on any Lopez proposal on timing. Of course make no commitments as to Washington action on recognition, no matter what Hondurans may propose.
c. Expect to follow course action outlined last sentence recommendation five, but need not repeat not ponder specific relationships between levels aid and stages of timetable at this time.
- Approval of recommendations in telegram 268 from Tegucigalpa with specific comments. Confidential. 2 pp. DOS, CF, POL 15 HOND.↩