HONDURAN COUP SITREP #7: EVENTS AS OF 07/01/09

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 000523

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2019
TAGS: PGOV MARR CASC EAID ELAB ETRD PHUM HO
SUBJECT: HONDURAN COUP SITREP #7: EVENTS AS OF 07/01/09
12:00 LOCAL (14:00 EDT)

REF: A. A. TEGUCIGALPA 521

B. B. TEGUCIGALPA 517 AND OTHERS

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Classified By: Ambassador Hugo Llorens, reasons 1.4 (b and d)

Country Relatively Quiet; Overnight Curfew Continued
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1. (U) The pro-Zelaya demonstration in Tegucigalpa near the
Presidential Palace in front of the Clarion Hotel concluded
with minimal violence. A crowd of approximately 5,000 moved
toward the OAS mission, which is located approximately three
blocks south of the U.S. Embassy. There are continued
reports of roadblocks on highways, some by security forces
and others by anti-regime protesters, but there is still no
sign of any large-scale unrest in the countryside.


2. (U) Authorities have announced the curfew will continue
through July 3, but it has been adjusted to 22:00 to 05:00
local (24:00 to 07:00 local). Post has asked the National
Police (HNP) to allow our roving security contractor to
continue their patrols during curfew hours. (Note: in one
case Tuesday night, a patrol was briefly stopped. End note.)


3. (C) DATT reported one significant security roadblock on
the highway between Tegucigalpa and President Zelaya's
hometown of Catacamas, Olancho, and that in the strongly
pro-Zelaya town of Limones, Olancho, Zelaya supporters had
control of the town.


4. (U) During curfew hours overnight, grenades were thrown
into the premises of the Supreme Court and Radio America, but
neither detonated. Security forces later detonated both
grenades on-site. No injuries were reported in connection
with the incidents. (Note: grenades have occasionally been
used in this manner in recent years in Honduras, either in
connection with criminal activity or intimidation of
witnesses in criminal cases. End note)

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Political Developments
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5. (C) While we continue to press a firm line regarding the
coup and its dangerous implications, regime leadership and
the overall political community in Honduras are holding fast
to the position that their actions were in defense of
democracy against a would-be dictator. The July 1 Honduran
newspapers are replete with defenses of the coup and
opposition to any return by President Zelaya. Many cleave to
the editorials in the Wall Street Journal and Florida papers
as signs of softening international opinion. A handful of
Congress deputies have contacted Embassy officials, however,
to express their unease with the supposedly "unanimous"
affirmation of the Congressional measures passed June 28.
Jacobo Lagos, who formerly held such posts as Minister for
Communications, Presidential Chief of Staff and HONDUTEL
chief, said the Attorney General has issued a warrant for his
arrest, ostensibly in connection with his HONDUTEL position,
but that it is politically motivated. Embassy is looking
into his statement as a matter of concern, but notes Lagos
had expressed fear of prosecution to EconCouns long before
June 28. We are seeking to gather further details from any
and all Zelaya administration officials who claim persecution
and will report our findings as they come. Attorney General
Rubi reiterated his assertion to EconCouns July 1 that the
only warrants issued beyond the one for President Zelaya
himself are in relation to prior investigations and that
Zelaya officials are safe.


6. (S) At the request of First Lady, who has been in hiding
at the Zelaya ranch in Olancho, the Ambassador sent DATT with
three vehicles to bring her and eight other members of the
household into the capital late June 30. DATT successfully
brought Mrs. Zelaya, her mother, the President's mother and
the others to Tegucigalpa; Mrs. Zelaya spent the night at the

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Ambassador's residence, and may move into one of the family's
homes in the Tres Caminos neighborhood today.


7. (U) The G-16 donor group met this morning to discuss the
current situation. Ambassador and USAID Director attended.
The local OAS discussed the OAS resolution, explaining that
it gives Honduras 72 hours to restore democracy and reinstate
Zelaya. The OAS will meet July 6 to determine compliance; if
Honduras does not comply, a vote will ensue to suspend
Honduras from the OAS with sanctions. An OAS mission to
Honduras comprised of foreign ministers from the region and
OAS diplomats is being planned. That mission will meet with
political players, including religious leaders, but will not
meet with representatives of the regime or with congressional
leaders. While all members condemned the coup and have
suspended engagement with the regime, most are currently
taking a wait and see attitude regarding the formal
suspension of assistance.

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Infrastructure and Communications
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8. (U) Toncontin and San Pedro Sula airports remain open for
international flights, and American, Continental and Delta
airlines continue to operate flights as usual. TACA
continues to have difficulties as a result of an unrelated
commercial dispute. As reported above, some roadblocks
exist, but former PolCouns successfully traveled overland
southward to El Salvador today without incident or delay en
route. Land borders with Guatemala, El Salvador and
Nicaragua remain closed to commercial traffic, but tourist
vehicles, including buses, are crossing unhindered.


9. (U) Utilities are functioning at normal levels, and almost
all television and radio broadcasts are back to normal,
except for strongly pro-Zelaya Channel 36, which remains off
the air.

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Consular and Embassy Operations
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10. (U) The Embassy is open for emergency services to Amcits
only for the remainder of the work week. Embassy offices
have returned to normal operations otherwise, with a liberal
leave policy in place for employees who feel unsafe getting
to the Embassy; no such cases have been reported, however,
and personnel have expressed relief to get back to work. The
planned celebration for Mission personnel and the broader
Amcit community for July 4 at the Agriculture Institute in
Zamorano has been cancelled.


11. (U) The Consular Section has received welfare and
whereabouts inquiries on 400 Amcits to date via telephone and
email. Post has drafted a new warden message to be issued as
soon as it is cleared, and has determined one message update
per day will be sufficient. Consular Section continues to
regularly update ACS talking points on the Embassy website,
and has advised Amcits to abide by the curfew.
LLORENS