It was a day of sweeping rumours, where at one point it seemed the de facto government was declaring a midday toque de queda (curfew) and schools and businesses closed early in the confusion. It seemed that as we compared notes, many of our friends were also growing weary of the day-to-day struggle and disruption wrought by the golpistas, and their intransigence with internal dissent and international criticism.

At the same time the resistance was unbowed by Sunday’s hammer blow to fundamental rights and was able to mobilise about 2,000 people in a peaceful sit-in outside the University Pedagogica, a blatant act of illegal assembly under the executive decree.

Gradually as I starting phoning contacts and cross-checking blogs this evening, the picture of the day’s events began to look more consistent with the often shambolic and, sometimes, comically inept actions of the golpistas. It also seems the – up to now – supine congress and presidential candidates were breaking ranks with the de facto government over the executive decree.

Congress sent its leading members to ask Micheletti to rescind the decree and strongly indicated that the measure would not receive congressional approval. Meanwhile the presidential candidates were meeting with the Hugo Llorens, the American ambassador. Reportedly Carlos Flores Facusse, alledged by some to be the intellectual father of the coup, and Adolfo Facusse, head of ANDI, were also present. So perhaps the United States is finally exerting its considerable influence on sections of the Honduran political establishment.

In another very serious challenge to the junta, Jaime Rosenthal’s El Tiempo published a powerfully argued editorial against the dictatorial actions of the de facto regime. Coincidentally perhaps its website was promptly shut down, putting it in the company of Radio Globo and Canal 36, as independent media companies closed by the junta in recent days. Mr Rosenthal’s very personal open letter to the government has also received wide spread distribution here in Honduras because it gives a critical historical perspective on the actions of the Golpistas from another member of the country’s conservative ruling elite.

While criticism and dissent has begun to arise from unusual quarters, the situation at the Brazilian embassy took a grim turn. Dr Mauricio Castellanos, a public health specialist, obtained samples of the contaminates at the embassy, which revealed:

Concentrations between 100 and 200 particles per thousand of ammonia as well as hydrocyanic acid, which produces a rapid reaction on inhaling when it enters in contact with the iron in the blood, and produces vertigo, nausea, stomach pain, headaches and breathing difficulties.

If these results can be independently verified it will represent the first clear evidence of serious violations of international treaties on chemical weapons and military conventions by the Micheletti regime. It will also be a vindication of Zelaya whose claims about the use of chemical agents and of long-range acoustic devices against people in the embassy had been categorically denied by the junta and ridiculed by the international media.

On balance, although this has been another long and dispiriting day in Honduras there are in fact signs that the de facto regime may begin to yield to demands to negotiate a way out of this crisis.

A confused and botched “Cadena” announced the complete suspension of public assemblies not authorised by the de facto government and absolutely no tolerance of any actions that disturb the peace.

I believe a very full day of public protest was planned for today by the resistance movement and given the previous strategy of ignoring the curfews, it seems the Honduran junta is raising the pressure on the Brazilian Embassy, President Zelaya and the resistance movement.

It is difficult in these circumstances to see how clashes between the de facto government controlled security forces and the resistance movement can be avoided.

If you have followed the diplomatic moves, you will know that the de facto government has effectively barred the entry of the OAS Ambassadors, which were intended to reopen negotiations with Micheletti. Mr Micheletti has also demanded that all returning diplomatic representatives must first contact the acting foreign minister prior to arrival. This in effect is demanding recognition of the de facto government.

It is also clear that neither President Arias of Costa Rica or ex US President Jimmy Carter will be initiating any renewed negotiations nor is it probable that the Micheletti junta would accept their good offices.

So Honduras remains truly isolated. Concerted action at the United Nations and the OAS is imperative if further violence and deaths are to be prevented.

The resistance meanwhile were making their presence felt in the barrios and the National University was essentially closed down around 11am after protesters started bonfires. The students, in the absence of any decisive action by the chancellor’s office, voted with their feet, opting to leave rather than face another brutal shut down by the security forces.

Today, Hondurans woke to a strange series of events, starting with the presidential candidates visiting both junta leader Micheletti and President Zelaya at the Brazilian Embassy. Press photographers have been allowed unrestricted access to the embassy, while Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Red Cross medical staff and Zelaya’s personal doctor were denied access to investigate claims that gas and non-lethal noise bombs had been thrown into the embassy earlier today.

Hondurans could be forgiven for considering these turn of events with a certain amount of incredulity given recent reports that the curfew is costing the economy $50 million a day.

Consider this figure, in light of a recent report from Honduran business organisations that said international assistance for the 2009 was estimated to be around $250 million. This external assistance does not primarily fund development projects but subsidises basic government budget expenditures such as the health and education sectors. So while the wealthy politicians and business leaders behind the coup may be able to ‘run out the clock’ until presidential elections, the majority of Hondurans will have to make do an any way they can.

Meanwhile the UN Security Council met today in a private session but rather than a full debate that the Brazilian and other OAS member states had requested, they restricted their debate to the harassment of the Brazilian Embassy in Tegucigalpa. A simple statement was issued demanding the de fact Honduran Government observe the diplomatic conventions on foreign missions.

Rain is falling this evening and people’s basic anxieties about food were solved by the panic stocking up on basic necessities earlier in the week, so perhaps parents will be trying to explain today’s news to their children, most of whom have not attended classes since the curfews were first imposed on Monday.

The Tegucigalpa barrios are literally burning again this evening and children, far too young, are wandering the streets and challenging the police and army. It reminds me of Belfast in that respect – children without fear throwing stones at men with guns – a tragedy waiting to happen. These confrontations were a direct result of the security forces fatally shooting three people and seriously injuring another 20 yesterday morning when they drove resistance supporters from the Brazilian Embassy, chasing them into the surrounding barrios.

Two disastrous things happened to day. I was not surprised when the curfew was first extended from 6am to 6pm but call after call to the TV programmes had people demanding the curfew be lifted so that food could be purchased and essential errands like medical appointments kept. The vacillating junta capitulated around 10am and the word spread immediately by cell phones and people charged out to the centre, the supermarkets and banks.

From 10am until 2pm there was chaos and panic buying across the city. In the afternoon people began looting the supermarkets, desperate to obtain supplies before the re-imposition of the curfew, a serious provocation for the Golpistas who have vowed to maintain security and order.

The second terrible decision of the junta was to organise a pro-coup ‘Camisas Blancas’ march which of course is bound for the Brazilian Embassy and the resistance was also gathering in the hotel district and at the UN building in the Colonia Palmira bound for the same destination. I have not been able to find out what happened at that flash point. (I have since heard the pro-government march has been rescheduled for tomorrow). The Golpistas are losing control and the civil war we feared is fast developing.

New reports today broadcast film and interviews confirming large violent clashes between protesters and the security forces in at least 10 barrios; Arturo Quesada, Barrio Morazán, Centroamérica Oeste, Cerro Grande, Ciudad Lempira, Colonia 21 de Febrero, Colonia 21 de Octubre, El Bosque, El Chile, and Flor del Campo and resistance sources claim as many as 20 were involved.

On the positive tally, news editors were showing lots of ordinary people in poor barrios getting absolutely hammered by the police and army units. A lot of very angry, articulate gente – I am confident Mr Michelleti would no doubt dismiss as ‘thieves’ and’ scum’ telling it exactly as it happened.

There have been small scale riots in many parts of the city from Cerro Grande to Palmyrah and a lot of street clashes in San Pedro Sula. Quite a few reporters interviewed poor Hondurans trying to find an open pulperia to buy basic food items. In this respect the now 28-hour curfew has, I think, been a self-inflicted disaster by the junta.

People were frustrated and angry before with the dispute between the oligarchs but now they are hungry and quite ready to trade stones for the security forces tear gas, rubber bullets and the live rounds that the ridiculous secretariat minister says are impossible. Three dead people and 20 odd seriously injured at the Hospital Esquela rather eloquently refute the dissembling de facto minister.

On the negative tally, there is the soundbite parade of identikit ‘Dinosaur Junta’ representatives spouting truly astounding lies to a public wondering what they are going to feed the children tomorrow if they do not lift the Toque de Queda. A particularly sinister development is the use of the baseball stadium in the Villa Olympica to detain protesters. The media has assured viewers tonight that the Red Cross and human rights organisations have access to the detainees.

The only person connected to the resistance that I saw after a solid day of monitoring the domestic TV stations was Berta Oliva, apparently allowed some sort of access to the Brazilian Embassy in the late afternoon.

I am clinging to the news that Lula di Silva has requested that the UN Security Council debate Honduras as an urgent order of business. But since the US has a veto on agenda items, I am preparing not to be disappointed. Barry and Hilary probably do not wish to have their grandstanding at the Security Council interrupted by the backyard domestic dispute that they have worked so diligently to keep private.

The Canadian ambassador expressed concern about president Zelaya returning at this time because his safety could not be guaranteed. The Canadian ambassador proposed that rather than Mel Zelaya return at this time, a delegation of OAS members and diplomats should try once again to negotiate with the acting Honduran government. There seemed no clear response to the Canadian ambassador’s proposal and the session was concluded.

CNN conducted a live interview with Zelaya immediately after the meeting. He appeared determined to return as planned sometime on Sunday. Zelaya said the delegation accompanying him was voluntary (presumably that meant the group was not selected or mandated by the OAS) but he believed it would include, as previously announced, the presidents of Argentina and Ecuador.
From the perspective inside Honduras, the proposed return of Zelaya today seems extremely risky not only for Zelaya but for the country as a whole. The acting government of Honduras has continued to be obdurate and unprepared to compromise. There appears to be a lack of objectivity and the junta has lost any sense of proportion. The statements of Mr Micheletti and the acting government official are increasingly strident, reckless and belligerent, seemingly acting without any regard for International concern about their actions.

Today I reviewed amateur footage of Honduran army troops shooting the tyres off yellow school buses that were allegedly part of a convoy of buses attempting to transport Zelaya supporters to the capital. The incident was claimed to have taken place within the past two days at Limones, 112 kilometres northeast of Tegucigalpa. If this was an actual incident, it demonstrates the ill discipline of the soldiers and the lack of effective control of the security forces by the acting government.

I have also read reports in the British media; the BBC and the Guardian that hand grenades have been thrown at government buildings and businesses over the past several days. I live above the historic city centre and work just inside the barrio of Comayaguela, immediately across the river from the congress building. I can state categorically that no acts of violence, particularly hand grenade attacks, have occured anywhere in the Centre over the past five-days. I cannot, however, attest to what may have occurred around the presidential secretariat on Blvd Juan Pablo Segundo or other areas of the city. Many of the government building are spread all over the city.

It is important to emphasise that other than one act of alleged vandalism on a fast food restaurant, the pro-Zelaya demonstrators have been peaceful with the exception of the stone throwing and tyre burning in front of the presidential secretariat earlier in the week, which the police countered with rounds of teargas. On Thursday, the congress enacted emergency legislation that suspends fundamental rights, specifically; arrests without warrants, individuals detained up to 24 hours without access to legal counsel and restrictions on freedom of assembly.

Mr Micheletti and the congress continue to insist that they have acted in order to protect the Honduran constitution and preserve democracy while at the same time suspending fundamental rights and providing the acting regime with draconian and authoritarian powers.

Given the present volatility of internal debate within the country and the unpredictable character of the acting Honduran government, I am deeply concerned about the potential for confrontation and violence at Toncontin airport in the event of Zelaya’s return today. I am not confident that Micheletti and the congress will act with due restraint, respect for diplomatic conventions or exercise adequate control of the Honduran security forces.

From Sunday afternoon until now there has been internet access and some limited Telly (CNN Espanol and English have been blocked since around 2pm. Predominantly only sports, children’s cartoons and some movie channels have been broadcast. I have not seen any local news channels since about 2pm when the congress session was broadcast on all channels.

Alessa has been monitoring the blogs and talking to friends continuously. There are reports that pro-Zelaya syndicalists will attempt to shut down electricity and water services and generally make things difficult for the acting government. Judging by the ineffectual reaction of the congress junta to earlier events it is likely that there will be more chaotic disruption today.

I have monitored as much of the video footage as was possible on El Pais, YouTube, BBC, CNN and the Guardian and the confrontation in front of the presidential secretariat with the army for much of the afternoon was extraordinary. Normally the Blvd Juan Pablo Segundo is barricaded from the Marriot Hotel intersection to the Mall multiplaza- about a mile’s distance in total.

As I wrote in the morning there was virtually no police or military presence in the centro. The La Colonia Supermarket was open and only one small detachment of police outside the congress building. The crowd of about 200 to 300 people chanting pro-Zelaya slogans was not at all confrontational with the police.

The most tragic-comic event of the afternoon was the crude forgery purporting to be president Zelaya’s resignation letter, which was decisively discredited within about 15 minutes due to the conscientious reporting of the Espanol CNN service. There was some dreadfully silly flailing about by congress spokespersons for around 20 minutes and some reporting of attempts to submit the letter to graphologists for authentication but thereafter the matter was dropped.

From that point on the rump congress steam-rollered Robero Michelleti’s appointment. The debate and speeches were bombastic and emotional, lacking in credibility or substance. Today will, I believe, be crucial to the sustainability of the acting government. If they can stand off against the OEA meeting and the US Government pressure for another 24 to 48 hours they may survive.

Reviewing the days events the most decisive action was taken by the small snatch squads of soldiers that kidnapped [resident Zelaya and abducted the foreign minister Patricia Rodas from the company of several diplomatic amabassadors. By any international standard the reputed actions of the supreme court and army were highly unorthodox if not illegal under international treaties on human rights and judicial conventions. The whereabouts of Patricia Rodas remains uncertain and the acting government has made no statement on her alledged detention.

To my surprise, many sectors of Honduran civil society have demonstrated they are prepared to oppose congress and the army. Given the chaotic reaction of fragile new regime to yesterdays events I am concerned that they will respond violently to any further protest or resistance here in Tegucigalpa.