HONDURAS COUP SITREP #19 07/15/2009 AS OF 1500

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 000600

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2019
TAGS: PGOV CASC MARR KDEM PHUM ASEC HO
SUBJECT: HONDURAS COUP SITREP #19 07/15/2009 AS OF 1500
LOCAL (1700 EDT)

REF: TEGUCIGALPA 595 AND OTHERS

TEGUCIGALP 00000600 001.2 OF 002


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

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DEMONSTRATION AT EMBASSY; ROAD BLOCKAGES ON FRIDAY
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1. (U) At 10:15 local (12:15 EDT),approximately 3,000
pro-Zelaya demonstrators gathered outside the National
Pedagogical University and marched to the Clarion Hotel. At
11:40 local (13:40 EDT),the group marched from the Clarion
Hotel to the National Institute of Women, where some
protestors threw rocks at police protecting the building. No
injures were reported. At 12:44 local (14:44 EDT),the group
marched to the Embassy where they arrived at 13:05 local
(15:05 EDT). No anti-American rhetoric was heard from the
crowd and no violence was reported. Some comments made by
the group were critical of the Honduran press. Following the
demonstration at the Embassy, the pro-Zelaya group departed
peacefully at approximately 13:25 local (15:25 EDT).
Following their departure from the Embassy, the group marched
to the National Congress building and dispersed peacefully at
approximately 14:50 local (16:50 EDT).


2. (U) A pro-Zelaya group of approximately 100 teachers
blocked a portion of the CA-5 highway between Tegucigalpa and
San Pedro Sula near Comayagua. Police report the group
peacefully dispersed by 13:20 local (15:20 EDT).


3. (C) A reliable source told Post there are indications that
pro-Zelaya groups will meet on Thursday for demonstrations
that are described as having the potential for violence.
This source also indicated that the Honduran Armed Forces may
be running out of non-lethal means to control large
demonstrations. These reports coincide with public
statements by President Zelaya to the press today, July 15
that the Honduran people "have the right to insurrection."
(Note: many pro-Zelaya activists and leaders have quoted
Article 3 of the Constitution, which defends the right of the
people to insurrection against a usurper or illegitimate
government. End note).


4. (U) Various sources indicate that Friday, July 17 will be
a day of many demonstrations by the pro-Zelaya camp (reftel).
Police contacts in San Pedro Sula tell Post that pro-Zelaya
groups will meet on Thursday, July 16 to organize a
nationwide blockage of roads. There are no reports that
these planned demonstrations will target Toncontin Airport in
Tegucigalpa or any other airports, however these groups have
been known to move to airports unexpectedly.


5. (U) There are no indications on Wednesday that rumors from
Tuesday were true that alleged pro-Zelaya demonstrators
planned to "take" factories and fast food establishments in
San Pedro Sula and burn down the National Liberal Party
building in San Tegucigalpa.


6. (U) The curfew remained lifted indefinitely throughout the
country.

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Infrastructure and Communications
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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 Wednesday afternoon, there are no reports of

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abnormal public utility outages in the country.

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Consular and Embassy Operations
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9. (U) The Embassy remains open for all regular consular
services today, July 15, and closed briefly for approximately
1 hour during the pro-Zelaya demonstration. 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 July 13 with new
information about the lifting of the curfew and may issue a
new Warden Message on Wednesday or Thursday depending on the
demonstrations planned for Friday. The Consular Section
continues to regularly update ACS information on the Embassy
website.


11. (SBU) The next EAC will take place Friday July 17, at
1300 local time (1500 EDT).
LLORENS