TFHO1: HONDURAS COUP SITREP #51 08/26/2009 AS OF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 000830 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV CASC MARR KDEM PHUM ASEC HO SUBJECT: TFHO1: HONDURAS COUP SITREP #51 08/26/2009 AS OF 17:30 LOCAL (19:30 EDT) REF: TEGUCIGALPA 817 AND OTHERS -------------- DEMONSTRATIONS AND OTHER ACTIVITY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) As of 14:00 local (16:00 EDT),a medium size group of pro-Zelaya demonstrators marched from the Clarion Hotel to the Embassy. The demonstrators peacefully disbanded at 13:55 local (15:55 EDT). Their message to the US was: "We request you do not support elections in Honduras and that OAS and other organizations do not send observers." The pro-Zelaya demonstrators were planning to begin another demonstration tomorrow at the Pedagogica. ¶2. (SBU) As of 15:30 local (17:30 EDT),a group of pro-Zelaya supporters had congregated at Planeta Zipango and were planning to begin a vehicle caravan around Tegucigalpa. ¶3. (SBU) As of today, the Consular Section is closed to non-emergency nonimmigrant visa (NIV) services until further notice. Local and regional media have been at the Consular entrance for most of the morning today. More in depth information regarding the reaction to the NIV section closing will be reported septel. ¶4. (SBU) The OAS concluded their two-day visit to Tegucigalpa August 25 and announced that they were successful in meeting with actors from all sides including de facto president Micheletti, representatives from Zelaya's government, and all of the presidential candidates. However, the Commission of OAS Ministers concluded that they regretted not having been able to reach consensus on the San Jose Accord. They reiterated that the San Jose Accord is the best option for restoring constitutional order in Honduras and reintegrating Honduras into the Western Hemisphere community. More in depth information on the OAS Foreign Ministers visit will be reported septel. -------------- Infrastructure and Communications -------------- ¶5. (U) As a result of an attack on its transmission equipment, pro-Zelaya television station Channel 36 remains off the air. ¶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 Wednesday, August 26 with one exception. The Consular Section will be closed to non-emergency nonimmigrant visa (NIV) services as of today, Wednesday August 26, until further notice. Local reaction to closing NIV services will be reported septel. Barring any changes in the security situation, the Consular Section will remain open for other 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. TEGUCIGALP 00000830 002 OF 002 ¶11. (SBU) The next EAC meeting time has not been determined. HENSHAW