TFHO1: HONDURAS COUP SITREP #34 08/03/2009 AS OF

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000695 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV CASC MARR KDEM PHUM ASEC HO SUBJECT: TFHO1: HONDURAS COUP SITREP #34 08/03/2009 AS OF 11:00 LOCAL (13:00 EDT) REF: TEGUCIGALPA 688 AND OTHERS -------------- DEMONSTRATIONS AND OTHER ACTIVITY -------------- ¶1. (U) A relatively quiet weekend was marred by two deaths. The protester shot in the July 30 conflict between pro-Zelaya demonstrators and police (Reftel) died August 1, marking the crisis' second confirmed fatality. In a military checkpoint incident, a car passenger was shot dead by a solider. The shooting took place on August 3 between 1 and 2 a.m. after a soldier opened fire at a car that had allegedly refused to stop. Also on August 1, about 1,500 pro-Zelaya demonstrators carried out a peaceful protest in Central Park in downtown Tegucigalpa. There was also a demonstration of approximately 600 people in the town of Comayagua. There were a number of reports of roadblocks along the North Coast, on the outskirts of La Ceiba, and between La Ceiba and Trujillo. There were no demonstrations reported Sunday. ¶2. (SBU) Leaders of the pro-Zelaya movement were meeting today at the "Bloque Popular" union headquarters to plan the week's demonstrations. ¶3. (SBU) The 24 hour curfew in the zone surrounding the Las Manos border crossing in El Paraiso Department and parts of Choluteca Department remains in place. The curfew for the rest of the country was rescinded July 31. The Embassy Warden Message urges AmCits to consult television and radio announcements each night to determine the correct curfew hours. -------------- Infrastructure and Communications -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Toncontin International Airport in Tegucigalpa (TGU) remains open. San Pedro Sula airport remains open with all flights operating as normal. ¶5. (U) Apart from the police and 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 Monday, August 3. Barring any changes in the security situation, the Consular Section is open for regular consular services until further notice. ¶8. (U) The Consular Section continues to receive sporadic inquiries from AmCits regarding the political situation. Post circulated a Warden Message Wednesday, July 29. The Consular Section continues to regularly update ACS information on the Embassy website. ¶9. (SBU) The next EAC met on July 31 and will meet again August 5. LLORENS