TFHO1: HONDURAS COUP SITREP #67 09/30/2009 AS OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 000993

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2019
TAGS: PGOV CASC MARR KDEM PHUM ASEC HO
SUBJECT: TFHO1: HONDURAS COUP SITREP #67 09/30/2009 AS OF
15:00 LOCAL (17:00 EDT)

REF: TEGUCIGALPA 983 AND OTHERS

Classified By: Ambassador Hugo Llorens, reasons 1.4 (b and d)

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Domestic Political Situation
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1. (C) Liberal party Congresswoman Argentina Valle told
Poloff on September 29 that Congressional leaders decided to
establish a commission that will examine the decree passed by
the Executive Branch on September 26 that severely limited
civil liberties (ref Tegucigalpa 989). Earlier on September
29 in a meeting with the Ambassador, Valle and 13 other
anti-coup Honduran Members of Congress expressed concern that
Congressional President Jose Angel Saavedra was stalling
Congressional action on the decree. The group pointed out
that Article 187 of the Honduran Constitution clearly states
that Congress must make a decision to ratify, modify, or deny
the decree, not request the Executive Branch to reconsider it
as Congress President Saavedra did. Valle told the
Ambassador that Congressmen Juan Angel Rivera Tabora, a close
associate of Micheletti, told her that in reference to the
delay in bringing the decree to Congress for a decision that
&they had won an extra day.8 Congresswoman Valle told
Poloff on September 29 that at Congress, next session on
Monday October 5, she plans to present a motion calling for
disapproval of the decree.


2. (U) De facto President Micheletti has not yet revoked the
emergency decree issued on Sunday, September 27.


3. (U) Andres Pavon, the president of human rights NGO the
Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CODEH),filed a
court complaint on September 29 with the Supreme Court asking
the Court to void the state of exception decree. Pavon,s
complaint argued the de facto degree violated the freedom of
press protected by Articles 72 and 73 of the Honduran
Constitution and should be reversed. The complaint also
calls for the return of the private property seized by
military during the closure of Channel 36 and Radio Globo.

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Civil Unrest and Security Environment
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4. (U) A medium sized group pro-Zelaya supporters gathered
outside the heavily guarded Radio Globo. The protestors then
began to march to Channel 36, but were dispersed by police
tear gas before reaching the station. (Note: Radio Globo and
Channel 36 are pro-Zelaya stations which were closed on
Monday, September 28 under the emergency decree).


5. (U) Curfew was imposed yesterday, September 29 from 2200
to 0500 local. No new curfew has been announced for today,
September 30.


6. (SBU) Post has confirmed that the two Guatemalan
journalists who were slightly injured during a scuffle with
police outside Channel 36 on Monday, September 28, filed a
police report and continue to operate freely as journalists
in Honduras. Post is still working to verify the reported
abduction and beating of journalist Delmer Membreno on
Monday, September 28.


7. (SBU) By court order, Honduran National Police and members
of the Honduran Armed Forces peacefully removed fifty-five
pro-Zelaya supporters from the National Agrarian Institute
(INA) in Tegucigalpa today, September 30. The supporters,
who are almost all members of the SITRAINA (National Agrarian
Institute Worker,s Union),had been inside the Institute for
approximately three months. The protesters were arrested and
will be taken to Penal Court later today where they will have
a hearing on charges of Sedition,. An order was also
given to remove any protesters from INA offices in Choluteca,
but was not executed. Government and police officials have
decided to negotiate with demonstrators to reach an agreement
for voluntarily leaving the seven other INA regional offices,
but if unsuccessful will determine how to carry out the court

TEGUCIGALP 00000993 002 OF 002


order.

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Consular/ACS
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8. (U) The Consular Section posted a revised warden message
Monday, September 28 informing American citizens of the de
facto government's emergency decree.

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Media Update
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9. (U) The Ambassador was interviewed live on Honduran
National Radio yesterday September 29. Four print newspapers
and two online newspapers picked up the story in the
afternoon yesterday, September 29. Headlines included:
U.S. Supports Democracy,, San Jose Accord is the
solution,, 'Solving the political crisis is in Honduran,s
hands,, Calls for violence and human rights violations are
not good for Honduras,. Print media ran the Ambassador,s
entire interview in newspapers today, September 30. Radio
and TV stations also played most of the Ambassador,s
interview.


10. (U) Most Honduran news stations reported that the United
States and President Arias were urging both sides to dialogue
and focus on the San Jose Accord to find a peaceful solution.
Honduran media acknowledged that the Ambassador was calling
for a dialogue and not imposing a U.S. solution on Honduras.
Honduran media highlighted that the Ambassador called on both
sides in the conflict to avoid human rights violations and to
avoid violence. Some media also noted that the U.S. position
has not changed and it sees the San Jose Accords as the only
solution.

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Embassy Operations
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11. (SBU) An EAC meeting was held today, September 30 at 1400
local (1600 EDT).


12. (SBU) The termination letter for the Millennium Challenge
Corporation to the de facto Honduran government will be sent
today, September 30.


13. (U) The Embassy is open today, September 30, and will
remain open unless a curfew is imposed. As of 1400 local
(1600 EDT) no new curfew announcement had been made. (Note:
official announcements have been made minutes before imposing
or lifting curfews since September 21. End note)


14. (SBU) Limited travel of mission personnel within Honduras
is now permitted. TDY travel into Honduras will be approved
on a limited, case-by-case basis.
LLORENS