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


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DEMONSTRATIONS AND OTHER ACTIVITY
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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rescinded Sunday, the curfew for the rest of the country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.

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Infrastructure and Communications
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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.

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Consular and Embassy Operations
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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.

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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