THE US REPORT

Shoreline view on Utila, the third largest of the Bay Islands (Islas de la Bahia). [Photo from CIA website.]Honduras, apparently following its constitution, decided to oust existing president Jose Manuel Zelaya for defying a Supreme Court decision. Zelaya hoped to follow the example of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez by holding a referendum that if successful, would have allowed Zelaya to seek a second term. The referendum would have enabled a constitutional assembly whereby Zelaya hoped term limits would be altered.

Chavez has already put his troops on alert. Ecuador and other leftist-led countries are in lock step with Chavez. And naturally, Chavez thinks the US had something to do with the peaceful transition of power achieved quickly and, according to various media, legally.

President Barack Obama issued a statement saying he was “deeply concerned.” Obama said, “As the Organization of American States did on Friday, I call on all political and social actors in Honduras to respect democratic norms, the rule of law and the tenets of the Inter-American Democratic Charter.”

An official statement from Chavez via Prensa, the state-run Venezuelan news service, said, “The government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela strongly urges the international community to condemn this situation and urges that the necessary measures be taken by us to defeat this coup d’état in Honduras and to reestablish the legitimate government of President Manuel Zelaya Rosales.”

Secretary of State of the US Hillary Clinton had stronger words. Her statement likely comforts heads of state like Chavez, Fidel Castro and Daniel Ortega. The Wall Street Journal reported Clinton’s comments: “Yesterday she accused Honduras of violating ‘the precepts of the Interamerican Democratic Charter’ and said it ‘should be condemned by all.’"

Every news account states Honduras has followed the constitution to the letter. Zelaya actually challenged the constitution by calling for the referendum himself, and worse, by getting ballots from Venezuela. The Wall Street Journal has the most factual account of the events surrounding Zelaya’s removal and subsequent trip to Costa Rica.

It should come as no surprise the Honduran people want to be free—a desire for freedom is an innate urge in every mobile species. What’s surprising is that an American head of state would defend Zelaya’s dismissal of his own constitution, Congress and Supreme Court. The people of Honduras, armed with their own constitution, are standing against the new world order and coalitions created by people like Chavez. We should be congratulating them for their bravery. Instead, our leaders are stroking egos of people like Chavez and Castro.

Update on Monday, June 29, 2009 at 06:54PM by Kay B. Day

Update in response to President Barack Obama's comments about Honduras (6:50 p.m.)

I lightly edited the original article to remove the word, 'coup,' from TUSR text. That word remains in Chavez's comments since they are a direct quote. I meant the term as used originally in the context of defining coup as: "a success that is unexpected and achieved with exceptional skill." [Encarta]

Reuters reported Obama's comments: "[T]he coup that ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya was illegal and would set a 'terrible precedent' of transition by military force unless it was reversed."

Apparently the president believes the Honduras Supreme Court and Congress acted illegally. We should point out there have been no reports of violence by the Honduran military.

Can we disregarddecisions by our own Supreme Court and Congress in America?

It appears a small country is trying to shake off a leader who tried to circumvent that country's constitution by holding an illegal referendum. In our opinion.

Does the Democratic administration in the US not appreciate the desire for freedom in other countries?

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Update 7:06 p.m.

The Associated Press has reported protests outside the national palace. It's likely some protesters are fired up by remarks from Chavez and other leftist leaders--exactly the behavior they've accused America of. The Honduran Congress named Roberto Micheletti president. The AP story reported Micheletti's response: 

"We respect everybody and we ask only that they respect us and leave us in peace because the country is headed toward free and transparent general elections in November," Micheletti told HRN radio.

He insisted Zelaya's ouster was legal and accused the former president himself of violating the constitution by sponsoring a referendum that was outlawed by the Supreme Court. Many saw the foiled vote as a step toward eliminating barriers to his re-election, as other Latin American leaders have done in recent years.

 

Update on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 09:54PM by Kay B. Day

June 30, 2009/Update

The Associated Press said the government in Honduras has made allegations about the drug trade involving the deposed president Manuel Zelaya.