TFHO1: HONDURAS COUP SITREP #49 08/24/2009 AS OF

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000809 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV CASC MARR KDEM PHUM ASEC HO SUBJECT: TFHO1: HONDURAS COUP SITREP #49 08/24/2009 AS OF 14:00 LOCAL (16:00 EDT) REF: TEGUCIGALPA 790 AND OTHERS -------------- DEMONSTRATIONS AND OTHER ACTIVITY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) At approximately 0830 local (1030 EDT),the Organization of American States group of Foreign Ministers arrived in Tegucigalpa. The delegation included Argentinean Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana, Canadian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Peter Kent, Costa Rican Foreign Minister Bruno Stagno, Jamaican Deputy Prime Minister Kenneth Baugh, Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs Patricia Espinosa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama Juan Carlos Varela, and the Secretary General of the OAS Jose Miguel Insulza. ¶2. (SBU) A small group of less than 50 taxi drivers announced early in the day their plan to block the main streets in Tegucigalpa to protest unpaid government bonuses (promised earlier this year to end a strike). Police were at the scene and did not permit the roadblock. No violence was reported. ¶3. (SBU) As of 1300 local (1500 EDT),a group of approximately 1,000-5,000 pro-Zelaya demonstrators gathered at the National Pedagogical University and marched to the Clarion Hotel. As of 1500 local (1700 EDT),the demonstrators dispersed peacefully and indicated they plan to meet on August 25 at 0800 (1000 EDT) at the National Pedagogical University. ¶4. (SBU) At 0200 local (1400 EDT),a smaller group of approximately 3,000 pro-Micheletti demonstrators gathered near the Presidential Palace and marched to the Clarion Hotel. As of 1645 (1845 EDT),the demonstrators dispersed peacefully. ¶5. (SBU) Late last night, an attack took place against the television and radio transmitters of pro-Zelaya TV and Radio stations Radio Globo and "Canal 36." EmbOff spoke to the owner of both who confirmed that two armed and masked men pointed a gun at the security guard while they poured an unidentified coercive chemical on the transmission equipment. Radio Globo is broadcasting with the use of a backup transmitter, but Canal 36 remains off the air. -------------- Infrastructure and Communications -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Toncontin International Airport in Tegucigalpa (TGU) and San Pedro Sula airport remain open. ¶7. (U) Most of Honduras' land borders with Guatemala and El Salvador are currently open to commercial and private vehicles. The borders between Honduras and Nicaragua have been closed intermittently since Friday, July 24. ¶8. (U) There are no reports of abnormal public utility outages in the country. -------------- Consular and Embassy Operations -------------- ¶9. (U) The Embassy is open for normal business on Monday, August 24. Barring any changes in the security situation, the Consular Section will remain open for regular consular services until further notice. ¶10. (U) The Consular Section continues to receive sporadic inquiries from AmCits regarding the political situation. Post circulated a Warden Message Monday, August 10. The Consular Section continues to regularly update ACS information on the Embassy website. ¶11. (SBU) The next EAC meeting will be held as needed. HENSHAW