VZCZCXRO2904
OO RUEHAO RUEHCD RUEHGA RUEHGD RUEHHA RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHMT RUEHNG
RUEHNL RUEHQU RUEHRD RUEHRG RUEHRS RUEHTM RUEHVC
DE RUEHTG #0521/01 1812243
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 302243Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY TEGUCIGALPA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9994
INFO RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS IMMEDIATE
RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA IMMEDIATE 0185
RUMIAAA/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE
RUMIAAA/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL//CINC/POLAD// IMMEDIATE
RUEAHND/CDRJTFB SOTO CANO HO IMMEDIATE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEAHND/COMJTF-B SOTO CANO HO IMMEDIATE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEIDN/DNI WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J5 MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE 1056
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUMIAAA/USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 TEGUCIGALPA 000521 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR OPS CENTER, WHA/CEN AND CA/OCS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2019 
TAGS: PGOV MARR CASC EAID ELAB ETRD HO
SUBJECT: HONDURAN COUP SITREP #6: EVENTS AS OF 06/30/09 
13:00 LOCAL (15:00 EDT) 
 
REF: A. TEGUCIGALPA 517 
     ¶B. TEGUCIGALPA 516 AND OTHERS 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000521  001.2 OF 004 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Hugo Llorens, reasons 1.4 (b and d) 
 
Opposing Demonstrations and Other Civil Updates 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶1. (U) The anti-regime demonstration in Tegucigalpa peaked 
June 29 with a maximum of approximately 3,000 protesters 
before being dispersed by police and military, but has 
re-formed and as of noon local is headed along Avenida 
Miraflores toward the Presidential Palace, where RSO 
anticipates a clash with anti-riot police and military 
troops.  The first major pro-regime demonstration began at 
09:00 local in downtown Tegucigalpa, with an estimated 3,000 
participants demonstrating peacefully.  Participants 
displayed banners declaring "Micheletti is President" and 
"Zelaya don,t come back," and many wore "peace" t-shirts. 
Regime head Roberto Micheletti and head of the military Romeo 
Vasquez both spoke to the crowd. 
 
¶2. (U) In San Pedro Sula, opposing demonstrations of 
approximately 1,000 people each clashed in the Central Park, 
in front of the City Hall (Note: the mayor of San Pedro Sula 
had supported Zelaya's constitutional referendum proposal. 
End note).  Demonstrators hurled rocks, according to a source 
on the scene.  National Police (HNP) report they broke up the 
clash, and as of noon local the two groups are blocking 
traffic in separate sections of the city. 
 
¶3. (U) Police and law enforcement authorities confirm one 
anti-regime protester at the Presidential Palace was injured 
when he was run over by a military vehicle late June 29.  In 
other parts of the country, anti-regime protests remain small 
and sporadic.  Some opponents of the regime have claimed 
authorities have blocked Zelaya supporters from traveling to 
the cities. 
 
¶4. (U) Bus company operators have informed Mission employees 
they have discontinued inter-city service as a result of 
roadblocks along the CA5 highway outside Tegucigalpa, in 
Comayagua, at the Taulabe exit and at the toll booth outside 
San Pedro Sula, which they assume are manned by anti-regime 
demonstrators.  The size and nature of these actions has not 
been confirmed; Post will attempt to verify the nature of 
these roadblocks ASAP. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Human rights leader Reina Rivera reports three buses 
carrying indigenous people from La Esperanza to the capital 
were detained en route by military troops.  Her NGO CIPRODEH 
reports they have documented 126 arrests in and around 
Tegucigalpa which they consider associated with efforts to 
suppress anti-regime protests.  Police reported that they 
have made 45 arrests in the pro-Zelaya protest yesterday. 
Other sources later told us that no one was being held. 
Rivera reports the human rights community has denounced Human 
Rights Commissioner Custodio for his politicized statements 
in favor of the coup.  The groups plan to meet at 13:00 local 
to discuss the overall situation.  Post is preparing a human 
rights roundup septel. 
 
¶6. (SBU) On June 29, the presidents of the four Central 
American Integration System (SICA) countries (El Salvador, 
Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Honduras) signed a declaration in 
Managua stating that land borders would be closed to commerce 
for 48 hours in response to the current situation in 
Honduras.  Post has obtained a copy of the declaration.  It 
does not say at what time the 48 hour closure will commence. 
There are conflicting reports about how the closure is being 
enforced and whether it is being extended to non-commercial 
traffic.  It appears some border posts have interpreted 
commercial traffic to include passenger buses, others not. 
 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000521  002.2 OF 004 
 
 
------------------------------------ 
Political Developments: Standing Firm 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶7. (C) Regime leadership and the overall political community 
in Honduras continue to express dismay at how the June 28 
events are being perceived internationally, and concern that 
they are being abandoned by those they perceived as allies. 
They also have consistently reiterated their assertion that 
their actions June 28 were legal, in defense of democracy, 
and based on a consensus of the Congress and Supreme Court 
against a perceived threat to the constitutional order. 
 
¶8. (S) Military and political contacts have expressed concern 
that if President Zelaya attempts a return to Honduras 
Thursday, July 2, it could incite civil unrest.  They have 
expressed fear a Zelaya return would be followed by his 
dissolution of Congress, firing of all military leadership 
and declaration of a constituent assembly of his own design. 
They appear sincere in their convictions and their fears.  A 
prominent business contact in San Pedro Sula agreed that the 
military's action June 28 had been drastic and of 
questionable legality.  But he said the worst thing that 
could happen for the country now would be for Zelaya to 
return and resume the presidency, which he predicted he would 
then retain for 20 years.  He thought a negotiated, 
conditional return might be possible, but should result in 
Zelaya being jailed. 
 
¶9. (C) DATT received reports from his foreign attache 
counterparts that Defense Chief MG Vasquez met with them at 
09:00 local on June 29 to assert their actions were based on 
orders received late June 27 from the Supreme Court. 
 
¶10. (C) PolCouns spoke with Attorney General Rubi on June 29 
and again on June 30 regarding claims from Zelaya supporters 
and family that they feared arrest.  Rubi stated that there 
is a warrant out for President Zelaya,s arrest on five 
different counts, ranging from abuse of power to treason.  He 
said that if Zelaya attempts to re-enter the country, he will 
be arrested based on this warrant.  But Rubi assured Polcouns 
there were no warrants out on any other members of Zelaya's 
family or his administration related to the ouster.  He noted 
some Administration officials had warrants prior to the 
events of June 28, however on unrelated issues.  Rubi 
asserted that the Zelaya family need not worry about arrest. 
He noted that he would be happy to make a public statement 
regarding their safety, but as of noon local June 30 had not 
done so.  He informed PolCouns that he understands the Zelaya 
family's wish to depart the country, and is prepared to 
assist in providing them safe passage. 
 
¶11. (C) We continue to convey the USG position and explain 
why the international community is concerned and opposed to 
the ouster of a democratically-elected president, as well as 
a clear picture of what the events of June 28 will mean from 
an international perspective with regard to assistance, trade 
and political relations.  Honduran counterparts continue 
unwilling or unable to distinguish what took place on June 28 
from legal proceedings in U.S. and other nations, histories, 
and even cite our own impeachments as justification for their 
actions. 
 
¶12. (C)  While strictly enforcing the non-contact policy with 
Michletti government officials, the Ambassador and DCM met 
with presidential candidates Elvin Santos (Liberal Party) and 
Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo (National Party) in separate meetings 
June 29.  Both disavowed advance knowledge of Sunday's coup 
and strongly condemned it.  Santos said the coup was a 
"disaster" for him as his party would both take the blame for 
the illegal action and would be split between those who 
support Zelaya and those who support the coup plotters. 
Santos said that he was under much pressure to pronounce 
himself with one side or the other, but said that for now he 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000521  003.2 OF 004 
 
 
did not plan to speak publicly.  Lobo was in good spirits, 
obviously seeing the coup and the split of the Liberal Party 
as an advantage for him in the coming campaign.  He lamented 
the defection of his party members in Congress June 24 when 
he had pushed them to accept a bill that would have offered a 
compromise on the poll scheduled for June 28, saying that 
they had been heavily influenced by the Catholic and 
Evangelical charges, which believed that Zelaya planned to 
call a Constituent Assembly immediately after the poll and 
scrap the current constitution.  Lobo also said that Vasquez 
had called him Sunday and claimed that the military had moved 
on its own against Zelaya.  (Note: Other information suggests 
that this is not/not true.  End note.)  The Ambassador 
explained U.S. policy towards Honduras, condemned the coup 
and stressed our support for the government of President 
Zelaya.  The Ambassador urged both to reach out to Zelaya and 
to express support to him and his family, and also to be 
available to serve as a bridge to all sides for a compromise 
solution. 
 
¶13. (C) Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriguez called on the 
Ambassador to request that the Ambassador do all he can to 
prevent Zelaya from returning with OAS Secretary Jose Miguel 
Insulza on Thursday, July 2.  The Cardinal expressed his 
concern that Zelaya's arrival would be an incendiary move 
which would lead to further civil unrest and possibly civil 
war.  He claimed that despite Zelaya's unlawful removal, his 
restoration would be untenable politically given the crimes 
he is alleged to have committed and questions on new details 
emerging from the Presidential Palace including the 60 
million Lempira (3.2 m USD) of cash stashed in Zelaya's 
personal office.  The Cardinal also said that he had seen the 
order to capture Zelaya and relayed allegations made by his 
pastors and parishioners about recent illegal arms shipments 
in Puerto Cortez, Nicaraguans with Honduran identity cards in 
El Paraiso waiting to vote for the Fourth Urn, and Zelaya's 
plan to immediately call for a Constitutional Assembly last 
Sunday after the survey was completed.  The Ambassador agreed 
to pass on the Cardina's concerns to Washington.  He 
explained U.S. policy towards Honduras, our condemnation of 
the coup, and our position that President Zelaya is the 
legitimate President of Honduras.  The Cardinal agreed to 
remain in close contact with the Ambassador and pass on 
information on breaking developments. 
 
-------------------------------------- 
But What Do the Honduran People Think? 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶14. (C) The labor union leadership, a major element of 
Zelaya's power base, have claimed they have been suppressed 
by the authorities.  Pro-Zelaya demonstrations have been 
sporadic and a call to march Monday by the teachers, union 
netted no result.  Subsequently, primary and secondary 
teachers in Francisco Morazan Department received a written 
appeal from the union to protest in favor of Zelaya the 
afternoon of June 30.  The proposed march route could put 
them on a collision course with an anti-Zelaya church-group 
march. 
 
¶15. (C) Contacts outside political circles report a sentiment 
in the general populace of confusion and worry about what 
will come.  A religious pastor in Tegucigalpa who ministers 
to poor communities reported a mix of opinions, but 
predominant was a sentiment consistent with what political 
contacts have been saying -- the ouster was in defense of 
democracy against a would-be dictator.  They note the quick 
handover of control from the military to civilian rule 
contrasts this significantly with the coups of the past era. 
NGO contacts on the North Coast report a strong majority of 
people in that area support the ouster and oppose Zelaya's 
return, but are worried about potential civil instability. 
Another NGO in La Ceiba, however, reports the people there 
are politically neutral, and concerned more about disruptions 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000521  004.2 OF 004 
 
 
to their daily lives and livelihood.  An Univision Internet 
poll claimed 75 per cent of Hondurans support the coup.  Post 
will continue to reach out to contacts beyond the capital and 
the political classes in the coming days to better understand 
what the overall populace thinks and feels. 
 
--------------------------------- 
Infrastructure and Communications 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶16. (U) Toncontin and San Pedro Sula airports remain open for 
international flights, and American, Continental and Delta 
airlines continue to operate flights as usual.  Delays have 
been reported due to the airport staffs' difficulty reaching 
work during curfew hours, but an agreement has been made to 
let them through if the curfew is continued.  TACA continues 
to have difficulties as a result of an unrelated commercial 
dispute. 
 
¶17. (U) Landline telephones have been restored, as have 
electricity, Internet access and many television stations. 
Stations supportive of Zelaya are being allowed back on the 
air sporadically, and Zelaya's address to the UN was allowed 
through on CNN en Espanol, in contrast to previous days' 
limits. 
 
---------------------- 
Economic Repercussions 
---------------------- 
 
¶18. (U) The principal business federations -- the Honduran 
Private Enterprise Council (COHEP) and the National 
Association of Industries (ANDI) -- issued a joint 
declaration June 29 supporting the governmental transition 
and the Micheletti regime.  They called for quick action to 
reinvigorate the national economy and create employment. 
 
¶19. (C) Jesus Canahuati, a prominent business leader in the 
export processing ("maquila") sector and brother of former 
National Party presidential candidate Mario Canahuati, phoned 
EconCouns this afternoon to express concern about the impact 
of the ongoing civil disorder on trade and economic activity. 
 He was particularly worried about the border closures and 
possible implications for CAFTA-DR. EconCouns said there was 
no discussion in Washington at this point of any trade 
sanctions, but economic and development assistance programs 
were under review.  Canahuati asked what the business 
community could do to help resolve the political crisis. 
EconCouns advised avoiding further statements or actions that 
could inflame the situation or solidify the new regime as a 
fait-accompli, making a negotiated reconciliation process 
harder. 
 
------------------------------- 
Consular and Embassy Operations 
------------------------------- 
 
¶20. (U) The Embassy is open only for emergency services to 
Amcits only June 30, and Post will determine operational 
status for July 1 at a scheduled 2:00pm local (16:00 EDT) EAC 
meeting.  The Embassy has canceled the official National Day 
event scheduled for July 2 at the Ambassador's Residence.  At 
present, theplanned elebration for Mission personnel and 
th broader Amcit community for July 4 at the Agriculure 
Institute in Zamorano is still on, pending a ecision today 
by the EAC. 
 
¶21. (U) The Consula Section has received welfare and 
whereabouts inuiries on 250 Amcits to date via telephone and 
eail.  Post has drafted a new warden message to be ssued as 
soon as it is cleared.  Consular Sectioncontinues to 
regularly update ACS talking pointson the Embassy website. 
LLORENS