HONDURAS COUP SITREP #18 07/14/2009 AS OF 1600

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 000595 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV CASC MARR KDEM PHUM ASEC HO SUBJECT: HONDURAS COUP SITREP #18 07/14/2009 AS OF 1600 LOCAL (1800 EDT) REF: A. A) TEGUCIGALPA 590 AND PREVIOUS ¶B. B) TEGUCIGALPA 589 TEGUCIGALP 00000595 001.2 OF 002 -------------- More Demonstrations Today and Rest of Week -------------- ¶1. (U) At approximately 9:21 local (11:21 EDT) approximately 700 Zelaya supporters gathered at the National Pedagogical University. By 10:14 local (12:14 EDT),Zelaya supporters began marching and grew to approximately 4000. At 11:41, Zelaya supporters arrived at the Embassy. The demonstrators yelled for the U.S. to support the "immediate restitution of Manuel Zelaya" and demanded "compliance with the recommendation of the OAS that Mel Zelaya return." One speaker, a representative of feminist groups, thanked President Obama, Secretary Clinton, and the Ambassador for their support of the deposed President. Other speakers were less positive, wondering at the Ambassador's "silence" and describing the Arias talks as "a failure." One protester held a sign saying the U.S. was behind the coup. At approximately 12:45 local (14:45 EDT),another separate group including First Lady Zelaya and approximately 600 more Zelaya supporters, marched to the Embassy and joined the larger group and peacefully dispersed at 13:35 local (15:35 EDT). The First Lady (who had spoken to supporters at a different location earlier demanding Zelaya be allowed to return to confront those accusing him of misdeeds) did not address the group at the Embassy and was not present when the earlier negative comments were made before the group. ¶2. (U) A reliable source reported that today, July 14, a pro-Zelaya protest closed a section of the CA-5 highway between Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula near Comayagua starting at approximately 10:45 local (12:45 EDT). The demonstration dispersing peacefully at approximately 14:00 local (16:00 EDT). ¶3. (U) Post continues to receive reports that various protestors, including the teachers unions still on strike, met yesterday to plan their next move. Zelaya supporters announced late yesterday that Friday July 17, they would "take to the streets." Additionally, Honduran National Police contacts said they heard rumors that on Wednesday July 15, pro-Zelaya demonstrators plan to "take" factories and fast food establishments in San Pedro Sula. There is also a rumor that pro-Zelaya demonstrators plan to march tomorrow, July 15, from the National Pedagogical University to the national Liberal Party headquarters and "burn it," as a signal of their displeasure with the Liberal Party faction that supports the Micheletti regime. Post is attempting to confirm these rumors, but they are consistent with reports from various sources within the pro-Zelaya group that state they will move to "other measures," given that peaceful demonstrations have not worked. ¶4. (U) Reports indicate that parents of school-aged children are considering a demonstration tomorrow, July 15, to demand that public school teachers return to the classroom. (Note: As of Tuesday, almost all primary schools are back in session in defiance of the primary-level teachers' union call for continued strikes, but most secondary schools remain closed due to teacher participation in pro-Zelaya demonstrations. End note.) ¶5. (U) Violent crime continues unabated in Honduras (Ref B) as reports surfaced of the assassination-style killing of five members of a family in San Pedro Sula early Monday July 13. Unconfirmed reports indicate these killings could TEGUCIGALP 00000595 002.2 OF 002 be linked to the July 11 killing of 5 prison escapees involved in gang activity who broke out of a San Pedro Sula jail on June 17. ¶6. (U) The curfew remained lifted indefinitely throughout the country. -------------- Infrastructure and Communications -------------- ¶7. (U) Toncontin Airport remains open and has been operating since Tuesday afternoon, July 7. Continental, Delta, and American Airlines have all resumed normal operations. San Pedro Sula airport remains open for international flights, and American, Continental and Delta Airlines continue to operate flights as usual to and from that destination. All land borders are reportedly open to both private and commercial traffic. ¶8. (U) As of Tuesday afternoon, there are no reports of abnormal public utility outages in the country. -------------- Consular and Embassy Operations -------------- ¶9. (U) The Embassy remains open for all regular consular services today, July 14. Barring a change in the security situation, the consular section plans to be open for regular consular services until further notice. ¶10. (U) The Consular Section continues to receive sporadic inquires from AmCits regarding the political situation. Post issued an updated Warden Message on Monday with new information about the lifting of the curfew. The Consular Section continues to regularly update ACS information on the Embassy website. ¶11. (SBU) JTF-Bravo continues to be on lock down. All regular military-to-military contact has been suspended per the no contact policy. With the daily permission of the Ambassador, JTF-Bravo has resumed training flights on a case-by-case basis. The purpose of these flights is only to maintain the minimal training requirements for the flight crews and requires no/no contact with Honduran military counterparts. ¶12. (SBU) The next EAC will take place Wednesday July 15, at 1400 local time (1600 EDT). LLORENS