HONDURAN COUP: SITREP #4 06/29/09 AS OF NOON LOCAL

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 TEGUCIGALPA 000514 SIPDIS FOR OPS CENTER, WHA/CEN AND CA/OCS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/28/2019 TAGS: PGOV MARR CASC HO SUBJECT: HONDURAN COUP: SITREP #4 06/29/09 AS OF NOON LOCAL (14:00 EDT) REF: TEGUCIGALPA 507 AND OTHERS TEGUCIGALP 00000514 001.2 OF 003 Classified By: Ambassador Hugo Llorens, reasons 1.4 (b and d) -------------- One Protest Spot, Business Resuming -------------- ¶1. (U) Minister of Security Jorge Rodas reported to Ambassador on June 28 at 16:00 local (18:00 EDT) that there had been virtually no incidents of violence or unrest in the country Sunday, save for those isolated small cases already mentioned in Sitrep #2. The ruling regime called a 21:00-06:00 curfew late Sunday evening, effective for 48 hours, until 06:00 local June 30. ¶2. (U) As of noon local today (June 29),the only point of significant protest or street action remains the area directly outside the Presidential Palace; crowds have reached 3000 at that location, and have blocked street access to the Palace. Approximately 1000 military personnel and 200 anti-riot police with a water-cannon-equipped vehicle have been posted within the Palace grounds as a precautionary measure. Roberto Micheletti, whom Congress proclaimed as President yesterday, arrived at the Palace at 10:00 local (noon EDT),which apparently led to the increased street activity and security posture. Micheletti issued a statement that the protesters were free to express their opinions, but warned any obscenities or threats ("groserias") would not be tolerated. While the protesters have blocked street access to the Marriott Hotel next door to the Palace, individuals are being allowed access to the hotel. The shopping mall two blocks away is open again and customers have been seen coming and going from all entrances. All indications so far are that in most parts of the country, people have resumed their work week. -------------- Political Developments -------------- ¶3. (C) Virtually all Embassy contacts continue to assert that all the actions against President Zelaya were done legally, including Supreme Court President Rivera Aviles and members of Congress from both the opposition and the President,s own Liberal Party. (Note: acting President Micheletti is himself a member of the Liberal Party. End note.). HUMAN RIGHTS Commissioner Dr. Ramon Custodio spoke at length on the radio this morning in favor of the actions taken so far. The newly appointed Foreign Minister, Enrique Ortez Colindres, did the same on television. ¶4. (C) The Honduran political elite and the bulk of the general population have displayed a high degree of naivete over how the coup would be perceived by the international community. Virtually all political elites and personal contacts have expressed surprise and dismay at the USG response, stating that they feel abandoned by the USG. Contacts are baffled by our expressions of concern about President Zelaya,s actions in the days before the coup followed by our strong response condemning the coup afterward. They are currently showing no signs of backing down from the removal of Zelaya, and continue firm in their belief that they acted in defense of their constitution. The currently acting authorities and their supporters appear to be getting prepared to ride out the storm of international condemnation and opposition to the coup until scheduled elections are held November 29. ¶5. (C) In a meeting with three senior Honduran business leaders June 28, the Ambassador condemned the coup against the Zelaya government. The three, Antonio Travel, Emilio Larache and Emin Barjum, accepted that the coup was illegal but argued that there was no choice but to accept the current regime and wait until November elections for the restoration TEGUCIGALP 00000514 002.2 OF 003 of constitutional government. The Ambassador rejected this idea and argued that the only solution was for Zelaya to be restored to power. ¶6. (C) In a meeting with former President Ricardo Maduro and Tegucigalpa Mayor Ricardo Alvarez, both National Party members, on June 29 the Ambassador again condemned the coup. Maduro and Alvarez expressed amazement that the coup took place at all and their strong disagreement with it. They agreed that the move had seriously damaged Honduran democracy and isolated the country from the world community. They argued that the problem now was that most of the population supported the coup. Most of their political allies looked at the issue as a question between "patriotism or Mel" and were unwilling to accept that the coup was illegal. They suggested that the Micheletti regime would use this support to withstand international pressure and play out the clock until the November elections, and restoration of constitutional government in January of next year. The Ambassador made clear that there would be great international pressure put on the illegitimate Honduran authorities. ¶7. (C) The Executive Director of the Cortes Chamber of Commerce phoned EconCouns from a videoconference in which he was participating, where he said the Honduran Private Enterprise COUNCIL (COHEP) was planning demonstrations in support of the coup. The Executive Director agreed with the USG position that Sunday's action was inappropriate and thought the business community was acting irrationally. ¶8. (U) The acting government has announced the following cabinet assignments: - Foreign Minister Enrique Ortez Colindres - Finance Minister Gabriela Nunez - Defense Minister Adolfo Leonel Sevilla - State telecom company (HONDUTEL) director Jorge Aguilar - current Security Minister Jorge Rodas Gamero has been asked to remain. ¶9. (C) The Embassy is maintaining a no-contact policy with the Micheletti regime. (Note: We will seek Department guidance on restricting our development, and security activities in the country.) We will remain in contact with members of the Congress, who have not taken positions in the regime, but will keep a low profile in all contacts. ¶10. (S) DATT sources have reported rumors that President Zelaya may attempt to re-enter Honduras overland from Nicaragua and approach the Presidential Palace. There are also internet rumors that the Nicaraguan military is mobilizing. 11 (C) DATT has been contacted by former Executive VP Mejia,s wife noting that she does not feel secure at her current location, as it is surrounded by troops. While she has not made any decision to leave the country yet, she would seek her usual Embassy assistance if she does. (Note: Mejia,s five-year-old son,s name is close to that of a person on no-fly watch lists, so she receives Embassy assistance any time she plans to travel outside the country. End note.) 12 (C) The Ambassador has been in close contact with President Zelaya,s family and offered our support. He has spoken by phone with the First Lady, who is in the countryside in Olancho as well as with the president,s older son, who is in Tegucigalpa. The president,s younger son and family moved to the ambassador,s residence Sunday night. We have passed on President Funes, offer to send a plane to bring them to El Salvador, and offered to transport them to a plane. As of now, there preference is to remain in Honduras out of fear of having their property confiscated. Leftist radio and television host Eduardo Maldonado, who feared arrest, is staying at the DCM,s residence. TEGUCIGALP 00000514 003.2 OF 003 -------------- Infrastructure and Communications -------------- ¶13. (U) Toncontin airport remains open for international flights, and American, Continental and Delta airlines continue to operate flights as usual. Flights are arriving and departing with minimal delays, and the airport road is open and clear. ¶14. (U) Landline telephones have been restored, as have electricity, Internet access and many television stations. Those local stations associated closely with Zelaya and his &Citizen Power8 movement are still off the air, although Channel 11, run by the Rosenthal Family, which long backed Zelaya, is back on. -------------- Consular and Embassy Operations -------------- ¶15. (U) The Embassy is open only for emergency services to Amcits only June 29, and Post will determine operational status for June 30 at a scheduled 15:00 local (17:00 EDT) EAC meeting. Because the USG does not recognize the Micheletti regime, the Embassy will not send diplomatic notes until further notice. Due to the Marriott hotel,s proximity to the Presidential Palace and its difficulties providing customer services, the Embassy will move all temporarily-housed personnel out of the Marriott. The Embassy has canceled the official National Day event scheduled for July 2 at the Ambassador,s Residence, but will hold an informal event limited to employees and family later that day instead if security conditions remain the same. At present, the planned celebration for Mission personnel and the broader Amcit community for July 4 at the Panamerican Agricultural University in Zamorano is still on. ¶16. (U) The Consular Section has received welfare and whereabouts calls on 200 Amcits to date via telephone and email. Post is preparing a new warden message to be issued as soon as it is cleared. Consular Section continues to regularly update ACS talking points on the Embassy website. LLORENS