What Now of Our Policy in South America

The Provocateur ^ | 06/29/2009 | Mike Volpe

[fiscon1]

The president called the coup "illegal" and said the U.S. continues to recognize deposed President Manuel Zelaya the leader of Honduras. Now, if we are to follow this to its logical conclusion, then this means that we won't recognize the new government. That means we would have to remove our ambassador from the nation. We'd cut off aid and all diplomatic ties. As such, we would wind up with more diplomatic ties with Venezuela than with Honduras.

[oblomov]

This geopolitical earthquake has somehow relocated Honduras to South America.

[TigersEye]

Skip the State Run Media. Find your own news.

Honduras Defends Its Democracy

Honduras Crisis: Zelaya Is A Threat To Our Democracy

Supporters of Zelaya.

Supporters of Honduras' President Manuel Zelaya shout slogans outside the presidential residence in Tegucigalpa, Thursday, June 25, 2009. President Zelaya's attempt to hold a referendum Sunday on changing the constitution has pitted him against the country's top courts, the attorney general, military leaders and even his own party, all of whom argue the vote is illegal.(Photo/Fernando Antonio)

Supporters of Honduran rule of law.

Demonstrators opposed to Honduras President Manuel Zelaya, protest in Tegucigalpa, Friday, June 26, 2009. President Manuel Zelaya is promoting a Sunday referendum on constitutional changes that has plunged the country into crisis by setting the president at odds with the military, the courts and the legislature that have branded the vote illegal.

A man holds a constitution of Honduras as demonstrators opposed to Honduras President Manuel Zelaya, protest in Tegucigalpa, Friday, June 26, 2009. President Manuel Zelaya is promoting a Sunday referendum on constitutional changes that has plunged the country into crisis by setting the president at odds with the military, the courts and the legislature that have branded the vote illegal. (Photo/Esteban Felix)

Students wearing gags on their mouths protest against Honduras President Manuel Zelaya outside the Venezuelan embassy in Tegucigalpa, Thursday, June 25, 2009. President Zelaya's attempt to hold a referendum on reforming the constitution has pitted him against the country's top courts, the attorney general, military leaders and even his own party, all of whom argue the vote is illegal. (Photo/Fernando Antonio)

My thanks to Rome2000 and cripplecreek for finding and posting these photos on this thread.

[texas booster]

This email is starting to make the rounds, from a missionary to Honduras. It seems authentic, but I have NOT been able to trace its author.

_____________________________________________

Sorry this is so long. I couldn't get word out.

Sunday June 28, 2009

Dear Friends, This letter is probably old news to you by now. With no way to send this out I know you have heard of the coup on TV. Last night a ribbon, sponsored by all the churches of Honduras, came on the bottom of the TV calling for a prayer vigil for the country in our homes from 10PM to 1 AM.

I woke up this morning to the sound of military jets and helicopters circling overhead. Believe me, military jets don't sound like Continental Airlines! In the early hours today there was a coup where the military took Mel from his bed to an undisclosed location. This just made the news before the government cut the electricity off.

Later on Sunday:

We went out to try to find food, since the family I am staying with is out of food and always shops on Sunday after church. Of course, church was canceled today. Outside, fliers littered the ground telling everyone not to vote in the illegal election—now no longer taking place—and to stay indoors and guard their families. But we did drive around to look for gas and an open store. Tegucigalpa, and the rest of the country, I'm sure, is almost completely shut down. No traffic (can you believe that, those of you familiar with this city!), but there are long lines at certain gas stations. They are allotting only 200L (about $10) to each car, and accepting only cash. We saw one supermarket open, but there were so many cars—even parked up and down the street and on the median—that we didn't even try to go in. The shelves must be stripped bare. (Mike and Joanne, that was the La Colonia over by your old apartment).

Soldiers are everywhere, but we saw no violence. Everyone is calm and those I saw seem relieved at the military’s actions. Everyone was listening to the news on their car radios, and we learned Mel has been taken to Costa Rica. Then the electricity came on and we were able to see a live interview of him, where he called for the military violence to cease. As far as I know, the only violence was to take him from his bed. He appeared in a tee shirt and had rumpled hair, which I instinctively felt was for staging the part of a victim. He also said he wanted to be reunited with his family, who are somewhere in Olancho. He made several rapidfire statements I did not understand, but Gilma shook her head, saying, “Mentiras! (Lies).�

Later, the first lady came on saying her husband would continue to be the president until his term ends in January, but she may be the only one who believes this. The action of the military overnight has effectively put a stop to any invasion by foreign armies (I hope). Personally, I am so pleased that Hondurans were able to solve a Honduran problem without outside help that it borders on pride. I do love these people so much!

Although there may be difficult days over the next week or so I believe this was handled well: no one killed, dedication to uphold the laws of the country, and all carried out with dignity. I do not know yet what will happen in the government. The vice-president had resigned earlier since he wanted to run for election this fall and the law says he must not hold office while preparing to run himself. Next in line is the leader of the Congress, I think. But the military may simply maintain charge until the next election. —

OK, I just found out—the Supreme Court has stated that the head of the Congress, Roberto Micheletti, is the new president, and we just watched him get sworn in on TV. He thanked the Christians for their prayers, and thanked the army for their loyalty to upholding the law. This was immediately followed by a statement by Hugo Chavez, who stated something like “Micheletti, Schmicheletti, Trichiletti, I don't care, I won't stand for this,� or words to that effect.

Depending on who you listen to this is not over. Some countries and important people are saying this is a good move and others say this is an offense to democracy. Several Latin countries are calling for Mel to be reinstated. Some Mel supporters did gather downtown for more marching, but they do not appear to me to be in the majority.

Meantime, it's hard to believe there was a coup d’etat this morning because everything and everyone here is so calm. In fact, the only noise I hear now is thunder because it just started to rain. I admire the fact that everyone I have met and talked to is dedicated to obeying the laws and upholding the constitution to continue having a democracy—even the soldiers. Among the people, there seems to be a strong feeling of trust and relief that the military is actually defending them by carrying out the orders of the Supreme Court.

Still later:

I just listened to CNN and was frustrated to hear them twist some things. The world seems to be angry at Honduras for this action. Mel has gone to Nicaragua to join a group of leaders from other Latin countries to discuss what has happened. Those against democracy are whipping themselves up to a possible invasion, I am afraid. We will just have to wait and see. It seems that the enemies of democracy are united to use this as an excuse to kill democracy. There is a curfew now, and I do not know when I will be able to travel back to Roatan. It is not wise to try that now. We are really thankful to have the electricity back on, but there still is no internet so I am writing this to send out as soon as it is restored.

Monday:

I'm frustrated by what I see and hear on CNN. They are showing riots, and one would think they are everywhere, but just the opposite is true. There is a curfew at 9PM and we are not to travel throughout the country yet, but otherwise it is life as usual. True, Mel has a few supporters—mostly poor, uneducated people—who are protesting, but I have looked at the background of the pictures and see they are right in front of the president's home, which is only a few blocks from Mall Multi-Plaza. The crowd is small and only extends the length of a city block, but of course that's the only view the channel shows making it look like the rioting is universal. The rest of this sprawling city is quiet and peaceful.

I also don't like the fact that when the coup happened the news media continued to refer to Mel as “the president� once the new one was sworn in. This effectively has made the world view Honduras as having two presidents simultaneously, and in doing so they are perpetuating Mel's and Chavez’ point of view which is very different from what is happening here. So don't believe all you see and hear on CNN.

I found out why we have no internet—when the electricity came back on it burned out the router. I'll have to look into getting a TIGO stick, which I can also use back on Roatan.

As a missionary I cannot take sides, but I cannot help having an opinion. My prayer was that God would be honored, and I believe He was since there was no bloodshed. For those of you praying with me over this land — thanks!

[texas booster]

See post 4!

[oblomov]

Thank you for posting that.

[TigersEye]

Thanks for posting that. It sounds genuine as it is backed up by other people in Honduras. FOX News needs to get somebody down there to confirm what is or is not happening so that we don’t have to rely on anonymous reports. Thanks again.