US embassy cable - 04TEGUCIGALPA2406

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002406 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DS/IP/WHA - M.FLYNN, DS/ITA - K.HALL, DS/IP/FPO - 
F.GARDNER, WHA/CEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC, KSAC, PGOV, KJUS, HO 
SUBJECT: NON-FUNCTIONING BOMB DISCOVERED AT PUBLIC MINISTRY 
 
REF: TEGUCIGALPA 2356 
 
1. Summary. At approximately 1000 hours on Friday, October 
22, an explosive device was discovered outside the Public 
Ministry by a guard assigned to that location. The guard 
contacted the local bomb squad who responded to the scene to 
evaluate the device. RSO was told by police contact device 
lacked a power source. End Summary. 
 
2. An explosive device was discovered October 22 outside the 
Public Ministry offices (Attorney General and prosecutors) by 
a guard assigned to the ministry. The device was in a plastic 
bag and contained approximately one pound of TNT connected to 
a wrist watch with wires. Police contacts stated there was no 
power source such as a battery discovered on the device. 
Note: RSO is attempting to obtain photographs of the device 
and if so will forward photographs back to DS headquarters. 
End Note. Once RSO received information about an explosive 
device being discovered embassy local guard force (LGF) was 
alerted. LGF conducted a sweep of the inside as well as the 
outside perimeter of the embassy facility with negative 
results. 
 
3. RSO believes the device was planted in conjunction with 
the firing of several public prosecutors on Thursday. This 
issue stems from the GOH dismissal of over 100 cases 
involving corruption which included cases involving the 
former president of Honduras (reftel and septel). RSO 
believes that this device was placed outside the ministry to 
bring more attention on this issue which has been covered 
extensively in the press the last few days. With police 
contacts saying no power source was found the device could 
not function yet, it sent a message that some people are not 
in agreement with the decision to dismiss these corruption 
cases and fire the prosecutors. RSO believes the TNT was 
likely stolen from one of the many mine sites located around 
the country. Once again, if RSO can obtain photographs Post 
will have a better idea of the devices make up and where the 
explosives came from. 
 
4. Should you have further questions/comments please contact 
RSO Lizzi. 
 
3 
Palmer