Posted on 11/17/2009 2:24:43 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Honduran lawmakers will not decide whether to restore ousted President Manuel Zelaya until after upcoming presidential elections, the congressional leader said Tuesday, a decision that could undermine international support for the vote.
Congress will meet Dec. 2 — three days after the Nov. 29 election — to decide whether Zelaya should be returned the presidency to finish his constitutional term, which ends in January, congressional president Jose Alfredo Saavedra told local HRN radio station.
Several Latin American countries have warned they will not recognize the outcome of the election unless Zelaya is restored beforehand. But the United States has not ruled out restoring diplomatic ties with a newly elected Honduran government even if Zelaya remains out of power through the vote.
Zelaya warned over the weekend that he would not return to the presidency if Congress votes to restore him after the elections, saying doing so would legitimize the June 28 coup.
The administration of President Barack Obama has repeatedly said recognition of the election is not linked to any one action, said State Department spokesman Charles Luoma-Overstreet. Rather, he said, the State Department is hoping a broader, U.S.-brokered accord is enacted.
"Congress deciding on the issue of restitution of President Zelaya is one of those things we've urged them to act with expedience on, and we welcome all actions that could move forward toward resolution," Luoma-Overstreet told The Associated Press.
Both Zelaya and interim President Roberto Micheletti signed the agreement brokered by U.S. diplomats last month. However, the two sides are now at odds over whether the pact is being fulfilled
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
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As soon as the elections are over, they should reinstate him as president. Then as soon as he steps outside the embassy, serve the corruption warrants on him.
This is gobbledygook to cover the fact that the administration is realizing that the Hondurans have outsmarted him and that Zelaya is not getting back into power. So they are backpedalling as fast as they can.
I think Mad Mel and all of his supporters have been completely had at their own game. Will the Honduran people care what any other country or outside organization thinks about their election? I doubt it. What better way to turn people against you than to tell them their vote doesn't count?
I predict that Obama will become a popular name in Honduras. For farm animals.
"Si, senor. That is Mad Mel my goat over there by Hugo the pig and the donkey is named Obama."
Rightfully so, Honduras doesn't give a flying (censored) about "international support" (read Obambi, Chavez, Ortega, etc.)
Whatever happened to national sovereignty and the concept in "internal affairs?"
That might be fun. Right now they need to attend to the serious business of the election, but afterwards, heck just have fun with him.
That is a great name for Zelaya. Mad Mel.
Hey, Mad Mel, how's that Hopenchange workin' out for ya?
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