TFHO1: HONDURAS COUP SITREP #30 07/28/2009 AS OF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 000664 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV CASC MARR KDEM PHUM ASEC HO SUBJECT: TFHO1: HONDURAS COUP SITREP #30 07/28/2009 AS OF 10:30 LOCAL (12:30 EDT) REF: TEGUCIGALPA 659 AND OTHERS TEGUCIGALP 00000664 001.2 OF 002 -------------- DEMONSTRATIONS AND OTHER ACTIVITY -------------- ¶1. (U) As of 10:30 local (12:30 EDT),approximately 500 pro-Zelaya demonstrators departed the Pedagogical University with plans to march on the headquarters of the private sector lobby group, COHEP. Apart from one road block in Santa Barbara, there were no reports of other significant activity. ¶2. (SBU) At 20:40 local (22:40 EDT) Monday night, July 27, a locally hired US citizen and her boyfriend were "express" kidnapped outside a popular mall often frequented by Embassy personnel. She managed to convince the two assailants that she had forgotten her ATM PIN number and had written it down at the office. Once safe inside the Embassy, she alerted RSO. RSO informed local police forces and the anti-kidnapping unit. Her boyfriend was later released unharmed. Both were debriefed by the anti-kidnapping unit. RSO will analyze recent crime statistics through coordination with Honduran police contacts to determine whether it reflects an escalation of criminal activity as result of the security authorities' preoccupation with political security issues or the usual realities of crime in Tegucigalpa. RSO will also raise Post's security concerns with the mall security chief and set up a meeting between DCM and the mall manager. ¶3. (U) Post has received mixed reporting on the curfew implementation in the El Paraiso border zone. The 24 hour curfew in the zone surrounding the Las Manos border crossing remains in place. Media reports and human rights groups allege that people have not been able to leave their homes for four days and are running out of food and potable water. Other reports indicate that in the town of El Paraiso, it is business as usual with cars able to transport goods and people able to move around after presenting valid ID to police. Apart from the Bay Islands where the curfew was rescinded Sunday, the curfew for the rest of the country today, July 28, is expected to be from 01:00-04:30 local (03:00-06:30 EDT). The Embassy Warden Message urges AmCits to consult television and radio announcements each night to determine the correct curfew hours. -------------- Infrastructure and Communications -------------- ¶4. (U) Toncontin International Airport in Tegucigalpa remains open and has been operating since Tuesday afternoon, July 7. American, Continental and Delta flights continue operating as normal. 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. ¶5. (U) Apart from the military control of the Las Manos border crossing (Reftel),all other borders remain open and operating as normal. ¶6. (U) There are no reports of abnormal public utility outages in the country. -------------- Consular and Embassy Operations -------------- ¶7. (U) The Embassy is open for normal business on Tuesday, July 28. Barring any changes in the security situation, the Consular Section is open for regular consular services until further notice. TEGUCIGALP 00000664 002.2 OF 002 ¶8. (U) The Consular Section continues to receive sporadic inquiries from AmCits regarding the political situation. Post circulated a Warden Message Friday afternoon, July 24. The Consular Section continues to regularly update ACS information on the Embassy website. ¶9. (SBU) The next EAC meeting is TBD. LLORENS