Posted on 10/15/2009 9:31:16 AM PDT by yoe
n Honduras the Obama administration seeks the restoration to power of a lawfully deposed Chavista thug. Among other things, in pursuit of this objective, the administration has cut off aid and yanked visas from Honduran officials who supported the thug Manuel Zelaya's removal. These officials (reportedly include) the fifteen justices of the Honduran Supreme Court and Jose Alfredo Saavedra, president of the Honduran Congress.
According to (Mary Anastasia O'Grady:) "The lesson, presumably, is that judges in small foreign nations are required to accept America's interpretation of their own laws." O'Grady rightly observed: "The upshot is that the U.S. is trying to force Honduras to violate its own constitution and is also using its international political heft to try to interfere with the country's independent judiciary."
From the perspective of the national interest of the United States, the administration is running a fool's errand. The case of Honduras presents a remarkable example of Obama's foreign policy. It is a foreign policy that provides a continuing lesson in how to alienate friends and amuse enemies.
We await only the speech in which Obama explains how Americans have at long last overcome their inordinate love of freedom. A reading of Charles Krauthammer's (important essay) on Obama suggests that such a speech would illuminate administration policy both at home and abroad.
The Chavista thug supported by the administration (snuck into Honduras) last month. Since then he has been holed up in the Brazilian embassy.
On his recent trip to Honduras, Senator Jim Demint made an (interesting discovery): "In a day packed with meetings, we met only one person in Honduras who opposed Mr. Zelaya's ouster, who wishes his return, and who mystifyingly rejects the legitimacy of the November elections: U.S. Ambassador Hugo Llorens."
Senator Demint sought an explanation of the administration's policy: "When I asked Ambassador Llorens why the U.S. government insists on labeling what appears to the entire country to be the constitutional removal of Mr. Zelaya a 'coup,' he urged me to read the legal opinion drafted by the State Department's top lawyer, Harold Koh."
Senator Demint would like to read Koh's opinion. "As it happens," Senator Demint reports, "I have asked to see Mr. Koh's report before and since my trip, but all requests to publicly disclose it have been denied." Senator Demint also noted (in the news) again yesterday. The negotiations bear on the prospective treatment of the outcome of Honduras's regularly scheduled presidential election on November 29. The Obama administration, of course, has joined others in threatening not to recognize the outcome of the election if the current crisis is not resolved to its satisfaction with Zelaya's restoration to power.
For those seeking an understanding of the sum and substance of the Obama administration's foreign policy, Honduras provides an excellent case study.
I love the DeMint quote, and I love the headline.
It is sad that the USA will turn their back on Honduras..a real travesty of justice being done to a people who desired more from the U.S. President. Sickening, and they won the right to go to the World CUP, and the world shuts them out forcing a dictator upon them.
So do you thing the “new agreement” that has been talked about is valid? It seems like they are saying that someone made an “agreement” that was sent to both parties. I really doubt the Honduran government would “agree” to reinstate Zelaya.
I have come to the conclusion that if Obama is not impeached, he will destroy the United States of America by 2012, or sooner.
Please let your elected know how you feel. Thanks.
Kiss Honduras goodbye if the November election does not happen.
My Love and my undying THANKS to your son Ben!
Ahhhh, a secret State Department report that 0bama bases his foreign policy on. How Stalinistic of him. This whole administration is a Franz Kafka novel come to life.
Most of us on this thread didn't find the "deal" to be very credible.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.