Less than two weeks from the elections that will name the next president of Honduras, the deposed former leader of that Central American nation is aiming his sharpest criticism towards the United States and specifically against President Barack Obama. As reported by the Associated Press, in a recent letter addressed to the American president, Mr. Zelaya wrote:
"As the elected president of the Honduran people, I reaffirm my position that starting today, no matter what, I will not accept any agreement on returning to the presidency of the republic to cover up this coup d’état . . . .
"The future that you show us today by changing your position in the case of Honduras, and thus favoring the abusive intervention of the military castes ... is nothing more than the downfall of freedom and contempt for human dignity. It is a new war against the processes of social and democratic reforms so necessary in Honduras."
Ex-president Zelaya is still holed up in the Brazilian Embassy and surrounded by police armed with an arrest warrant against him if he steps outside of Brazil’s protection. However, he makes frequent statements to the press via phone. Yesterday, his complaints against the U.S. took a more personal tone. In an interview with local station Radio Globo he said that Lincoln
“. . . gave an example to the American people that this [Obama’s] government doesn’t want to follow. These are not true heirs of Lincoln.”
Although State Department spokesman Ian Kelly denied yesterday that U.S. policy towards Honduras had changed and claimed that the Obama Administration continues to stay in contact with Mr. Zelaya, he avoided giving a direct answer to the question whether the United States still required his reinstatement to the presidency. He conceded that the State Department was still working on a response to Mr. Zelaya’s letter, two weeks after its receipt.
Mr. Zelaya’s problem is being compounded by the fact that the matter of his reinstatement has lost its importance in comparison with the question of the legitimacy of the next government, about to be chosen by the Honduran people through free elections. Largely through Zelaya’s own blunders, a number of foreign countries aside from the U.S. are now committed to supporting the electoral process. As recently as yesterday, Ricardo Martinelli, the president of Honduras’ Central American neighbor Panama told the local newspaper La Estrella that his country will recognize the winner of the elections and urged the international community to follow suit.
Given the fact that Zelaya himself rejects the possibility of his reinstatement under the auspices of the agreement that had been reached between him and current president Roberto Micheletti, he leaves little reason for international support of his cause. Moreover, it takes away any sense of urgency by the Honduran National Congress to start deliberations on his reinstatement. After hearing Zelaya’s statements, that body’s vice-president, Ramón Velázquez commented:
“If it is Zelaya’s desire not to be reinstated, it appears that his supporters have lost the last argument they had, because what is the point of their demanding his restitution when he is saying that it should not happen?”
The one thing that has been made clear by the political crisis that has gripped Honduras is the emotional instability of Mr. Zelaya. It is no surprise then that, prior to the events that precipitated the crisis, the leadership of his own Liberal Party had urged him politely to submit to a psychiatric evaluation.
(Above right: Ex-president Zelaya receives communion from Salvadoran priest Andres Tamayo, who spent two months at Brazil's Embassy with the deposed president. However, he left the Embassy this morning accompanied by two Salvadorean diplomats. Photo courtesy of La Prensa).
Associated Press report on Zelaya's charges against Washington.
Panama's president: his country will recognize elections' winner (Spanish text).
National Congress will still consider matter of Zelaya's reinstatement. La Prensa.
Comments
What a disgraceful comment to tack onto the end of this article, exposing the author as a tacit supporter of the violent coup that has destroyed Honduras since June. So Zelaya must be crazy to condemn US support for a military coup against a democratically elected government and the brutal repression of supporters of democracy in that country? Give us a break.
I dont know where are you from Ewan but you are not in favor of Honduras. Hondura escaped de jaws of communism, a trap that was set by Chavez and Zelaya himself. God has been protecting Honduras from being the next victim of these heartless dictators. Zelaya is crazy and he has shown it on numerous occasions. You do not act the way he did if you are of sound mind. I am so proud to see Honduras so strong and as a Honduran I stand tall because my country has shown the rest of the world how you need to figh for your right to be free.
Mel did publicly accuse Israel of attempting to control his mind with radio waves precipitating a defensive application of tin foil to the windows of his room in the Brazilian embassy.
Ligia that may be how you feel but the data shows that the majority of Hondurans are on the side of Zelaya and of building a more inclusive political system in Honduras via a constituent assembly. So whose freedom are you really fighting for? The business associations that support the coup or the people who want a democratic society?
As for the article - the speculation about Zelaya's character and psychological state offer no meaningful analysis or evidence about the situation in Honduras, making it clear that the author has no intention of actually informing or being informed.
We must all look to the future, for the benefit of Honduras. Mr. Zelaya is just one man -- good, bad, or in between. The question now becomes how best to ensure a legitimate, stable future government. If Zelaya is genuinely interested in the welfare of Hondurans, he should think hard about how best to achieve that. If he believes that undermining the upcoming elections is the best course, where does that lead? What possible good comes of that? Zelaya can continue to decry the his removal, AND do everything in his power to push for free and fair elections. The two are not incompatible, if Zelaya is able to set his ego aside and consider the future of his nation. It is possible, but such a selfless vision will require a man of real character and courage. Can Zelaya be that man? We should all hope so. We'll see...
ajjajaja. destryed HONDURAS, inyour dreams baby, i ride the roads of HONDURAS every day, things are as normal here as it has always been.... Coup, this coup is the best things that has happen, it will teach a lot of people about the desires of the people a of a small nation. IGNORE for centuries... Zelaya, can know go to hell, or better yet, enjoy every single dime he stole while been president.
Lindsay you are so full of crap and you don't even realize it.
"Ligia that may be how you feel but the data shows that the majority of Hondurans are on the side of Zelaya"
This was hilarious, its even funnier if you believe it. There is no reasonable claim of support for Zelaya, his followers are an abject minority. He had turned into the equivalent of George W Bush here in Honduras in terms of popularity. The radicals that are sticking out their necks for him are dwarfed by the individuals who took to the streets and protested against Zelaya.
He violated the Constitution several times and was even told by his own party to step down. He refused and was removed. Now Honduras will have a new election to vote for a new president, for a greater and brighter future for Honduras.
Perhaps when you stop reading your far left propaganda and actually come to Honduras and see how things are, maybe then you will snap out of it.
Come to Honduras and you will see what a great party we eill have on november 29. As for Zelaya what the majority wants, Lindsay, is that he gets out of the Brazillian Embassy and goes directly to prison to pay for the 18 charges he has. Shame on you speaking in favor of a corrupt president and saying that the hondurans are in favor of him being reinstated. Thank you Michelleti!!Hondurans will always be thankfull of your courage.We did it !
Free elections on Nov 29th will occur and they will be a huge celebrations for Honduras as they will be freed of this pest we call Zelaya
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