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NYTIMES/News Analysis/
Marco Aurélio García, adviser to Brasil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, said his country “continues to have great hopes” for good relations with the United States. But, he added, “the truth is so far we have a strong sense of disappointment.” Especially concerning Honduras.“President Obama’s credibility in the region has been seriously weakened,” said Kevin Casas-Zamora of the Brookings Institution. “In a matter of five months, his administration’s position on the coup has gone from indignation to indifference to confusion to acquiescence.”
Showing posts with label Honduran stalemate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Honduran stalemate. Show all posts
02 November 2009
HONDURAS: A Sick Economy Awaits The Golpe's Resolution.
NYTIMES/
Business owners hope that the tentative deal returning Zelaya to office in January will restore normal activity.
Business owners hope that the tentative deal returning Zelaya to office in January will restore normal activity.
30 October 2009
HONDURAS: Poll Shows Majority Consider Zelaya The President.
MERCOPRESS/
According to a poll, 46% of Hondurans consider ousted Manuel Zelaya as their president compared to the head of de facto government Roberto Micheletti. And 75% a November presidential election will help end the stalemate and political crisis.
According to a poll, 46% of Hondurans consider ousted Manuel Zelaya as their president compared to the head of de facto government Roberto Micheletti. And 75% a November presidential election will help end the stalemate and political crisis.
HONDURAS: Zelaya/Micheletti To Let Congress Decide On Return.
BLOOMBERG/
Acting Honduran President Roberto Micheletti will allow Congress to decide if ousted President Manuel Zelaya can return to power.
Under the agreement, Congress would have the final say on Zelaya’s restitution, though not before considering the opinion of the Supreme Court.
“This is the beginning of the process of reinstating democracy,” Zelaya told reporters.
Acting Honduran President Roberto Micheletti will allow Congress to decide if ousted President Manuel Zelaya can return to power.
Under the agreement, Congress would have the final say on Zelaya’s restitution, though not before considering the opinion of the Supreme Court.
“This is the beginning of the process of reinstating democracy,” Zelaya told reporters.
28 October 2009
HONDURAS: Holed-up For A Month With Zelaya In The Brasilian Embassy.
AP/MIAMI HERALD/First-hand Account of Photographer Estaban Felix/
"All night long, floodlights shine on the Brazilian Embassy where I have been holed up with ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya since he slipped back into the country. When I do manage to sleep, I'm awakened by high-pitched cat calls from the soldiers ringing the compound, and music so loud the windows vibrate."
"All night long, floodlights shine on the Brazilian Embassy where I have been holed up with ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya since he slipped back into the country. When I do manage to sleep, I'm awakened by high-pitched cat calls from the soldiers ringing the compound, and music so loud the windows vibrate."
08 October 2009
Hardliners And Lobbyists Muddy US/Honduras Policy.
NYTIMES/
A campaign to lobby for the defacto Honduran government has cost at least $400,000 so far, according to lobbying registration records, and involved law firms and public relations agencies with close ties to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Senator John McCain.
"It has also drawn support from several former high-ranking officials who were responsible for setting United States policy in Central America in the 1980s and ’90s, when the region was struggling to break with the military dictatorships and guerrilla insurgencies that defined the cold war. Two decades later, those former officials — including Otto Reich, Roger Noriega and Daniel W. Fisk — view Honduras as the principal battleground in a proxy fight with Cuba and Venezuela, which they characterize as threats to stability in the region in language similar to that once used to describe the designs of the Soviet Union."
A campaign to lobby for the defacto Honduran government has cost at least $400,000 so far, according to lobbying registration records, and involved law firms and public relations agencies with close ties to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Senator John McCain.
"It has also drawn support from several former high-ranking officials who were responsible for setting United States policy in Central America in the 1980s and ’90s, when the region was struggling to break with the military dictatorships and guerrilla insurgencies that defined the cold war. Two decades later, those former officials — including Otto Reich, Roger Noriega and Daniel W. Fisk — view Honduras as the principal battleground in a proxy fight with Cuba and Venezuela, which they characterize as threats to stability in the region in language similar to that once used to describe the designs of the Soviet Union."
29 September 2009
Honduras Backs Down...Will Restore Civil Liberties.
AP VIA GOOGLE NEWS/
"Honduras' interim president promised to restore civil liberties and allow an Organization of American States mediation team into the country, quickly backpedalling from tough measures amid criticism from his own allies that he had gone too far in his fight to stay in power.
Roberto Micheletti's decision Monday to reverse an emergency decree declared a day earlier reflected the largest public show of dissent within the ranks of his supporters to date. Some conservatives feared the decree would endanger the Nov. 29 presidential election, which they consider Honduras' best hope for regaining international recognition."
"Honduras' interim president promised to restore civil liberties and allow an Organization of American States mediation team into the country, quickly backpedalling from tough measures amid criticism from his own allies that he had gone too far in his fight to stay in power.
Roberto Micheletti's decision Monday to reverse an emergency decree declared a day earlier reflected the largest public show of dissent within the ranks of his supporters to date. Some conservatives feared the decree would endanger the Nov. 29 presidential election, which they consider Honduras' best hope for regaining international recognition."
27 September 2009
Three Months Plus In Honduran Stand-off...Means Takeout And Talking Only.
NYTIMES/Lengthy Summary of Stalemate Status/
"It was initially thought that Mr. Zelaya’s surprise return to the country on Monday might force a quick settlement. World leaders, riveted by the daring entrance, would redouble their efforts. Hondurans, massing in the streets, would ratchet up the pressure. The de facto government would wilt under all the pressure and restore Mr. Zelaya to his former perch.
But nearly a week later, little had changed. World leaders reverted their gaze to Iran and other crises, the street protests were largely contained, and while Mr. Zelaya and the man who replaced him, Roberto Micheletti, talked about talking, they had not yet done so, at least directly.
“There’s a lot of noise around the margins that did not exist a week ago,” said Christopher Sabatini, senior director of policy at the Council of the Americas. “But whether it affects the nub of the problem is unclear. This stalemate operates according to its own logic, or lack of logic.”
"It was initially thought that Mr. Zelaya’s surprise return to the country on Monday might force a quick settlement. World leaders, riveted by the daring entrance, would redouble their efforts. Hondurans, massing in the streets, would ratchet up the pressure. The de facto government would wilt under all the pressure and restore Mr. Zelaya to his former perch.
But nearly a week later, little had changed. World leaders reverted their gaze to Iran and other crises, the street protests were largely contained, and while Mr. Zelaya and the man who replaced him, Roberto Micheletti, talked about talking, they had not yet done so, at least directly.
“There’s a lot of noise around the margins that did not exist a week ago,” said Christopher Sabatini, senior director of policy at the Council of the Americas. “But whether it affects the nub of the problem is unclear. This stalemate operates according to its own logic, or lack of logic.”
Lula Rejects Honduran Ultimatum Over Zelaya's Fate.
REUTERS/
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Silva rejected a 10-day ultimatum to decide Zelaya's fate and demanded an apology from Honduras' de facto leader Roberto Micheletti, who issued a harsh statement late on Saturday warning that his government would be forced to take action if Brazil does not define Zelaya's status soon.
"Brazil will not comply with an ultimatum from a government of coup mongers," Lula told reporters at a summit in Venezuela, adding that international law ensures the sovereignty of its embassy in Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Silva rejected a 10-day ultimatum to decide Zelaya's fate and demanded an apology from Honduras' de facto leader Roberto Micheletti, who issued a harsh statement late on Saturday warning that his government would be forced to take action if Brazil does not define Zelaya's status soon.
"Brazil will not comply with an ultimatum from a government of coup mongers," Lula told reporters at a summit in Venezuela, adding that international law ensures the sovereignty of its embassy in Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital.
25 September 2009
The Honduran Media War.
NYTIMES/
In Honduras, radio and TV ads regularly attack deposed President Manuel Zelaya, who's holed-up in the Brasilian embassy. The fierce political battle divides Honduras with media assertions of all kinds rooted or not, in fact.
In Honduras, radio and TV ads regularly attack deposed President Manuel Zelaya, who's holed-up in the Brasilian embassy. The fierce political battle divides Honduras with media assertions of all kinds rooted or not, in fact.
24 September 2009
Honduran Economy Almost Dead During Stalemate and Zelaya Return.
BLOOMBERG/
Zelaya's unexpected return and the subsequent curfew has cost the nation $50 million a day, said a member of the Council of Latin America. Honduras with a $14.1 billion economy has lost as much as $200 million in investment since the military ousted Zelaya from office June 28.
Zelaya's unexpected return and the subsequent curfew has cost the nation $50 million a day, said a member of the Council of Latin America. Honduras with a $14.1 billion economy has lost as much as $200 million in investment since the military ousted Zelaya from office June 28.
23 September 2009
Analysis: Brasil's Risky Role In Honduran Stalemate.
REUTERS/
"President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's decision to grant Honduran president Manuel Zelaya refuge at short notice at its embassy in Tegucigalpa has thrust Brazil to the center of the crisis, giving it a chance to take a high-profile role in efforts to end the stand-off.
"The government had time to evaluate the situation and it took a huge gamble," said Rubens Barbosa, Brazil's former ambassador to Washington. "We bought into a fight that isn't ours and now the risk is getting caught in the cross-fire -- it's a hot potato," said Barbosa.
"President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's decision to grant Honduran president Manuel Zelaya refuge at short notice at its embassy in Tegucigalpa has thrust Brazil to the center of the crisis, giving it a chance to take a high-profile role in efforts to end the stand-off.
"The government had time to evaluate the situation and it took a huge gamble," said Rubens Barbosa, Brazil's former ambassador to Washington. "We bought into a fight that isn't ours and now the risk is getting caught in the cross-fire -- it's a hot potato," said Barbosa.
22 September 2009
Police Use Tear Gas To Break-up Honduran Protests.
BBC/With Images/Maps/
Honduran security forces surrounded the Brasil's embassy and used tear gas to disperse thousands of Zelaya's supporters in an operation that began in the early morning local time on Tuesday.
The demonstrators had defied a curfew imposed after Mr Zelaya made his dramatic appearance in the Brazilian embassy on Monday.
Honduran security forces surrounded the Brasil's embassy and used tear gas to disperse thousands of Zelaya's supporters in an operation that began in the early morning local time on Tuesday.
The demonstrators had defied a curfew imposed after Mr Zelaya made his dramatic appearance in the Brazilian embassy on Monday.
Clinton: Zelaya's Return Helps Honduran Peace Process.
BLOOMBERG/
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, meeting with mediator Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, said Zelaya’s return to Tegucigalpa and refuge in Brasil's embassy created the chance to restore “constitutional and democratic order” and move ahead with elections in November.
Zelaya’s homecoming “makes it easier for us to put some more pressure on the de facto government,” Arias said in New York, adding achieving his return was the main hurdle to implementing the so-called San Jose 11-point plan.
But some worry about violence. “What we’re about to witness is a series of demonstrations and counter-demonstrations and there’s also a great risk of violence,” said Casas-Zamora, former vice president of Costa Rica under Arias.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, meeting with mediator Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, said Zelaya’s return to Tegucigalpa and refuge in Brasil's embassy created the chance to restore “constitutional and democratic order” and move ahead with elections in November.
Zelaya’s homecoming “makes it easier for us to put some more pressure on the de facto government,” Arias said in New York, adding achieving his return was the main hurdle to implementing the so-called San Jose 11-point plan.
But some worry about violence. “What we’re about to witness is a series of demonstrations and counter-demonstrations and there’s also a great risk of violence,” said Casas-Zamora, former vice president of Costa Rica under Arias.
17 September 2009
Commentary: How U.S. Has Worsened Honduran Stalemate.
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR/ERIC FARNSWORTH/
"Washington has essentially declared that the (upcoming) elections will be illegitimate, if, for example, the de facto government refuses to budge. A democratic, transparent, and constitutionally consistent election was the one escape valve from the Honduran imbroglio for all parties. Without it, the crisis may continue beyond its natural election season conclusion."
"Washington has essentially declared that the (upcoming) elections will be illegitimate, if, for example, the de facto government refuses to budge. A democratic, transparent, and constitutionally consistent election was the one escape valve from the Honduran imbroglio for all parties. Without it, the crisis may continue beyond its natural election season conclusion."
05 September 2009
Why Obama Won't Use The "M" Word For Honduran Coup.
TIME.COM. ANALYSIS:
"The legal semantics matter. If the State Department labels a coup "military" — the most brutal and anti-democratic kind of overthrow — it automatically triggers a suspension of all non-humanitarian and non-democracy-related U.S. aid. In the case of Honduras, State Department officials insist that those measures have already been taken without the military-coup tag. But critics, who fear Obama is keeping the Honduras coup designation downgraded to mollify conservative Republicans, argue that further steps, like freezing Honduran bank accounts in the U.S., are still available to the Administration. Either way, foreign policy analysts say Obama is setting a precarious precedent by trying to have it both ways."
"The legal semantics matter. If the State Department labels a coup "military" — the most brutal and anti-democratic kind of overthrow — it automatically triggers a suspension of all non-humanitarian and non-democracy-related U.S. aid. In the case of Honduras, State Department officials insist that those measures have already been taken without the military-coup tag. But critics, who fear Obama is keeping the Honduras coup designation downgraded to mollify conservative Republicans, argue that further steps, like freezing Honduran bank accounts in the U.S., are still available to the Administration. Either way, foreign policy analysts say Obama is setting a precarious precedent by trying to have it both ways."
04 September 2009
U.S. To Cancel $30 Million Aid Package To Honduras.
REUTERS.
After a meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, deposed Honduran President Manuel Zelaya was rewarded with a pledge to cancel $30 million in aid to the de facto government, but did not get a formal military coup declaration.
After a meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, deposed Honduran President Manuel Zelaya was rewarded with a pledge to cancel $30 million in aid to the de facto government, but did not get a formal military coup declaration.
26 August 2009
OAS Departs With No Agreement In Honduran Stand-Off.
LAHT.
The Organization of American States negotiating team ended a two-day stay in Honduras without reaching an accord to reinstate ousted President Mel Zelaya.
The Organization of American States negotiating team ended a two-day stay in Honduras without reaching an accord to reinstate ousted President Mel Zelaya.
12 August 2009
Costa Rican Leader Has Swine Flu.
BBC.
Costa Rican President Oscar Arias has swine flu.
"Apart from the fever and a sore throat, I feel well and in good shape to carry out my work by telecommuting," said the 68-year-old.
Arias had been mediating Honduran crisis talks.
But the negotiations stopped two weeks ago.
Costa Rican President Oscar Arias has swine flu.
"Apart from the fever and a sore throat, I feel well and in good shape to carry out my work by telecommuting," said the 68-year-old.
Arias had been mediating Honduran crisis talks.
But the negotiations stopped two weeks ago.
11 August 2009
Obama Defends US Position On Honduras Stalemate.
Mercopress.
President Obama called it "hypocritical" for critics of the US response to the Honduran coup to demand the US return him to power.
"The same critics who say that the United State has not intervened enough in Honduras are the same people who say we are always intervening and the Yanquis need to get out of Latin America," said Obama.
President Obama called it "hypocritical" for critics of the US response to the Honduran coup to demand the US return him to power.
"The same critics who say that the United State has not intervened enough in Honduras are the same people who say we are always intervening and the Yanquis need to get out of Latin America," said Obama.
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