TFH01: HONDURAS COUP: POLITICAL WRAP-UP 07/29/09

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 000673 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/29/2019 TAGS: PGOV PINR KDEM HO SUBJECT: TFH01: HONDURAS COUP: POLITICAL WRAP-UP 07/29/09 REF: TEGUCIGALPA 665 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Ambassador Hugo Llorens, reasons 1.4(d) ¶1. (U) Summary: This is another in a series of daily round-ups of political news in the aftermath of the June 28 forcible removal and exile of President Manuel Zelaya from Honduras. End Summary. -------------- Diplomatic Visa Revocation Top Story -------------- ¶2. (C) The diplomatic visa revocation of four members of Micheletti's regime was a top story in local press July 29. De facto President of Congress Jose Alfredo Saavedra said that this action on part of the USG will not speed up the process of signing the San Jose agreement and that he always uses his tourist visa anyway. De facto Defense Minister Adolfo Lionel Sevilla said that he is happy traveling within his own country and respects the U.S. decision. From Nicaragua, President Zelaya applauded the action. Some Congressional contacts have said the revocations will only strengthen the resolve of the Micheletti camp, who already see themselves as standing up for Honduras in the face of foreign pressure. -------------- Micheletti Meets with Police -------------- ¶3. (U) Local press report that Micheletti held a strategic meeting July 28 with police. He ordered police not to confront citizens who are participating in demonstrations and he promised to increase logistical support to police. Micheletti confirmed that police are still instructed to arrest Zelaya if he enters Honduran territory. -------------- -------------- Emboffs Meet With Congressional Review Commission -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) The San Jose Agreement is being reviewed by the Micheletti regime. Congress has appointed a commission to review the proposed amnesty element of the agreement, which is seen as on of the most potentially contentious. Emboffs have met with all members of the commission in an effort to gauge support and deliver the USG position. The result of these meetings will be reported septel. -------------- TSE Planning for November 29 Elections -------------- ¶5. (U) The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) issued a statement that for legal, financial and logistical reasons the elections cannot take place before November 29. (Note: Only Congress has the power to move the election.) -------------- School Closures Persist -------------- ¶6. (U) Parents of the Instituto Central Vincente Caceres, the largest public school in Honduras, have taken over the school and demand that teachers hold classes five days a week instead of the three days a week they are currently operating. The parents asked that teachers not participate in strikes at the expense of their children's education. The parents stated that if strikes continue they will demand from the Secretary of Education that absentee teachers not bepaid. LLORENS