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Condemnation of coup d’état in Honduras is overwhelming
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Jose Miguel Insulza, Secretary General of the Organization of American State, OAS, during the Central American Integration System, or SICA, summit in Managua, Monday, June 29, 2009. The Organization of American States called an emergency meeting for Tuesday to consider suspending Honduras under an agreement meant to prevent the sort of coups that for generations made Latin America a spawning ground of military dictatorships. (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco)
The Organization of American States (OAS), a group of 34 countries, of which the United States is a member, late yesterday passed a strongly worded resolution in which it condemned vehemently the coup d’état of Honduras President Zelaya. It demanded his immediate and unconditional return to power. It declared that no government arising from this coup would be recognized. It further instructed the Secretary General of the OAS to transmit this resolution to the Secretary General of the United Nations.
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, right, embrace ousted Honduras' President Manuel Zelaya, left, as Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega gestures during the Central American Integration System, or SICA, summit in Managua, Monday, June 29, 2009. The Organization of American States called an emergency meeting for Tuesday to consider suspending Honduras under an agreement meant to prevent the sort of coups that for generations made Latin America a spawning ground of military dictatorships. (AP Photo/Miguel Alvarez)
The European Union has also condemned the coup d’état in Honduras. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kohout, from the EU Presidency, stated, “This is an unacceptable violation of constitutional order in Honduras," and pointed out the “EU calls for the urgent release of President Zelaya and a swift return to the constitutional normality"
The U.S. State Department, in a background briefing June 28th, dismissed Acting Honduras President Miceletti’s claim that “The transition was absolutely legal.” Officials at the State Department were asked about the resignation letter from outsted Honduras President Zelaya and responded “It would be hard to take that letter seriously given the circumstances that President Zelaya was in.” They were also asked about whether or not what President Zelaya was doing was in line with the constitution of Honduras. They felt that the legal distinction was something for the internal working of the Honduras government. However, they strongly pointed out that there is a big distinction between a disagreement on a non-binding survey – not even a formal vote and the “forcible removal of a president from a country.”
President Zelaya will address the United Nations General Assembly on June 30, 2009. Secretary General of the U.N. Ban Ki-Moon called for Zelaya’s reinstatement.
Honduras' congressional leader Roberto Micheletti, whom Congress appointed president on Sunday, attends a press conference at the presidential residency in Tegucigalpa, Monday, June 29, 2009. Micheletti insisted ousted Honduras' President Manuel Zelaya was legally removed by the courts and Congress for violating Honduras' constitution, allegedly by trying to extend his rule. (AP Photo/ Eduardo Verdugo)
Acting President Miceletti’s response to this overwhelming condemnation was to state that “Nobody scares us” and insisted that Honduras was ready to go to war if there was interference (in reference primarily to Venezula President Chavez’s comments). He stated that he “had come to the presidency not by a coup d’état but by a completely legal process as set out in our laws”.
Up to date travel alert:
Additional State Department travel alerts for Honduras due to political unrest
For information on the travel alerts including airline phone numbers read:
For information on the coup read:
Honduras President ousted - world leaders condem coup
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