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Logo by kanawa
Posted on 11/08/2009 6:59:10 AM PST by La Lydia
Just barely meeting the November 5 deadline, Honduran President Roberto Micheletti reported to the country in a national broadcast that the cabinet of unity and reconciliation had been formed, despite the fact that Manuel Zelaya refused to provide any nominations for the new cabinet. Surrounded by dozens of smiling members of political parties and civic groups, Micheletti appeared pleased and concluded his speech with 'Viva Honduras!' three minutes before midnight.
During his speech, Micheletti explained that at the beginning of the week, nominations were requested from the principal political parties, the presidential candidates, sectors of the civil society, and Manuel Zelaya. He said that all nominations were carefully considered and that the final list represents the broad range of ideological and political interests, strictly in compliance with the Tegucigalpa-San José Accord.
Micheletti did not announce the individual names as they must be approved by the Verification Commission, although the proposed cabinet already "enjoys the most ample participation and approval of the different sectors of society and political parties". Additionally, he left it open as to whether the 'zelayistas' could send their nominations after the deadline. Earlier in the day, Micheletti's ministers all offered their resignations to make way for the newly selected cabinet, though it is expected that some individuals may continue. Micheletti's existing cabinet includes members of both major parties as well as several cabinet members who had been named by and served under Zelaya previously. The two largest political parties expressed their confidence in Micheletti by suggesting that he was at liberty to name the persons that he considered suitable to continue with his responsibilities.
Rafael Pineda Ponce, Minister of the Presidency, personally delivered a letter to Zelaya earlier this week respectfully asking for his nominations for the Unity Government. Zelaya proclaimed that action to be "an aggression, an offense" and refused to reply with any nominations, insisting that he must be restored to office before the unity government could be formed.
Yesterday, an OAS representative stated that "there is no climate for ultimatums". Previously, former Chilean President Ricardo Lagos (official OAS representative to the commission) confirmed that the formation of the unity government was the first step to reconciliation and separate from the question of the restoration of Zelaya.
The commission continued to wait for Zelaya's nominations throughout the deadline day well into the night. During the 9 p.m. channel 5 news, it was announced that US Ambassador Llorens and OAS representatives left the meetings to go the Brazilian Embassy in an attempt to obtain nominations from Zelaya. They were not successful.
Today, international headlines everywhere read that the pact "failed", "fell apart", or "collapsed". I don't agree with that conclusion at all. The media seems to be relying almost exclusively upon statements of Zelaya and his followers.
Not even the terribly biased and ineffective OAS can allow Zelaya to single-handedly sabotage the Accord while everyone else is making heroic efforts to comply with it. Zelaya could have participated and worked toward reconciliation of Honduras. Instead he and his followers chose to issue demands and deadlines not provided for in the agreement using offensive and divisive language.
Can the future of a country be held hostage by one man who obviously only has his own personal interests in mind? I don't think so.
The Accord that Did Not Fail ping
What socialist jerk does think he is the savior of the world?
I never did like the Honda Accord.
“What socialist jerk does think he is the savior of the world?”
You are kidding, right? mmm mmm mmmm
The answer is all of them.
“What socialist jerk does NOT think he is the savior of the world?”
Oh, God, I hope that's true...
For once I agree with the slick, bullcrap moves from the candy stripe pants (State Dept) crowd. This allowed everyone to walk away from a situation that they got wrong from the work go.
And the winner is? The people of Honduras who don't want to live in a dictatorship.
I do not credit our State Department for this. They screwed up from the start by initially siding with Zelaya. Then they sort of semi-figured out what the deal was. Micheletti and Co. deserve all the credit here. They saved face for our inept State Department despite the fact that, from the beginning, our State Department and ambassador to Honduras (and the OAS) tried to screw them.
That pretty much says it all.
The man is psychotic. Again, let the Honduran army storm the embassy, drag him out in the street and leave his fate to the military brass
I keep reading this as “Honda Accord did not fail.” Looks like I’m up past bedtime.
I would have all of his followers either expelled from the country or arrested for subversion.
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