TFHO1: HONDURAS COUP SITREP #36 08/05/2009 AS OF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 000703 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV CASC MARR KDEM PHUM ASEC HO SUBJECT: TFHO1: HONDURAS COUP SITREP #36 08/05/2009 AS OF 13:00 LOCAL (15:00 EDT) REF: TEGUCIGALPA 698 AND OTHERS -------------- DEMONSTRATIONS AND OTHER ACTIVITY -------------- ¶1. (U) Approximately 500 protestors congregated outside of the pedagogical university at 09:55 local (11:55 EDT). At 10:15, the protestors departed the university and began marching down Blvd. Fuerzas Armadas. As of 11:50, the demonstration had grown to approximately 3000 people protesting outside of the Supreme Court on Blvd. Fuerzas Armadas. ¶2. (U) In a separate protest, approximately 500 students were demonstrating outside of the Honduran National Autonomous University (UNAH) as of 11:50. Approximately 100 police (HNP) armed with nonlethal assets (tear gas, water tank) were on the scene. As of 13:00 local, fighting had erupted between the students and police. Many students were reported to be detained and wounded, and a number of vehicles have been damaged. ¶3. (U) Police were closely monitoring pro-Zelaya marches that were beginning to form today in three different cities. One group of demonstrators were to have started marching from Comayagua to Tegucigalpa, the second group from Choluteca to Tegucigalpa, and the third group from Progreso to San Pedro Sula. The idea was that supporters will join these marches en route to the main cities, arriving en masse for the large demonstrations planned for Tuesday, August 11, in both cities. ¶4. (U) Elvin Santos, Liberal Party Presidential candidate, was interviewed August 5 on the nationally televised morning program "Face to Face." The interview covered Santos' stance on the Arias proposal, a possible "consultation with the Honduran people," and the legality of the coup. Details will be reported septel. ¶5. (U) On August 4, Santos presented his "Government Plan" at Autonomous University of Honduras in Tegucigalpa. Throughout his speech, members of the pro-Zelaya student organization University Reform Front (FRU) demonstrated outside. When Santos exited the building, a number of students shouted insults and threw rocks and bags of water at him. Santos' bodyguards retaliated by pistol-whipping at least three students and firing one round into the air. ¶6. (U) As a result of protests in Tegucigalpa on August 4, buildings were vandalized with graffiti and broken windows by pro-Zelaya supporters. These included the Televicentro building, Liberty Tower, and the National Commission of Human Rights (CONADEH). Protestors also painted on private homes and cars. The graffiti, painted in red and black, included messages such as: "usurpers," "murderers," "Custodio trash," (in reference to National Commissioner for Human Rights Dr. Ramon Custodio Lopez, who has become an apologist for the de facto regime),"sellouts," and other more crude pejoratives. ¶7. (U) On August 4, the Honduran equivalent to the Joint Chiefs of Staff made an appearance on the television program "Face to Face" to defend their role in the June 28 forcible removal of President Zelaya, arguing that they had acted in a manner consistent with the rule of law. ¶8. (U) On August 4, HNP sources report that eight Nicaraguans were detained, six in Celica, Olancho and three in Jesus de Otoro, La Paz, allegedly for participating in pro-Zelaya demonstrations. ¶9. (SBU) Investigation continues into the border-zone killing of Pedro Ezequiel, whose body was found July 25. Special Prosecutor for Human Rights (SPHR),German Enamorado, continues to lead the investigation and informed TEGUCIGALP 00000703 002 OF 002 Emboff that the preliminary report was still being assembled. ¶10. (SBU) The 12-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 -------------- ¶11. (SBU) Toncontin International Airport in Tegucigalpa (TGU) remains open. San Pedro Sula airport remains open with all flights operating as normal. ¶12. (U) Apart from the police and military control of the Las Manos border crossing (Reftel),all other borders remain open and operating as normal. ¶13. (U) There are no reports of abnormal public utility outages in the country. -------------- Consular and Embassy Operations -------------- ¶14. (U) The Embassy is open for normal business on Wednesday, August 5. Barring any changes in the security situation, the Consular Section will remain open for regular consular services until further notice. ¶15. (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. ¶16. (SBU) The next EAC meeting took place today, August 5, at 14:30 local (16:30 EDT). LLORENS