Venezuela: US Must Clarify its Position on Honduras
June 7, 2009, (Venezuelanalysis.com) - Speaking on behalf of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) on Monday, former Venezuelan interior minister, Ramón Rodríguez Chacín called on United States president Barack Obama to clarify his government's position on the coup d'etat in Honduras, in which democratically elected president, Manuel Zelaya was ousted on June 28.
"There must be a categorical pronouncement and concrete actions by Obama in rejection of this coup d'etat," Rodríguez Chacín insisted, because it is "clear this coup is being supported by the military establishment of the United States."
Rodríguez Chacín argued that the coup must be understood in the context of increasing global political confrontation and as something that represents an attempt to destroy the progressive advances in Latin America signified by the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our Americas (ALBA)
ALBA is a bloc of nine countries, spearheaded by Venezuela, which aims to promote an alternative development model in the region to the neoliberal model imposed by the US, based on economic and social justice, fair trade and participatory democracy.
While condemnation of the military coup has been near universal, the response of the United States government has been slow. The initial statement from the White House did not denounce the coup or call for the reinstatement of Zelaya but rather called for "all political and social actors in Honduras to respect democratic norms, the rule of law and the tenets of the Inter-American Democratic Charter".
Although US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton have made statements condemning the ousting of Zelaya and calling for his return, the US State Department is yet to legally define the coup as a "coup."
A law passed by US congress forbids granting aid to any government that has come to power through a military coup. Under pressure from a united Latin America to reject the coup US State Department official Ian Kelly announced on July 2 that the US has "paused" economic aid "directly aiding the government" pending the outcome of its legal finding.
However, in a State Department press briefing on Monday, Kelly indicated that the majority of activities funded by the US would not be affected by the measure, including humanitarian aid and "democracy promotion" programs.
The US also continues to maintain diplomatic ties with the coup government of Roberto Micheletti, with US Ambassador to Honduras Hugo Florens remaining in Tegulcigalpa, the Honduran capital, in an official capacity.
The BBC in Spanish also reported today that the Honduran Ambassador to the US, Roberto Flores, originally appointed by Zelaya but now a supporter of the coup, continues to retain official diplomatic accreditation from the White House and official access to US diplomats, despite being fired by the legitimate president after the coup.
US State Department officials have admitted that they knew about the coup plans for several months, but claimed they were trying to promote dialogue.
In a report today, US-Venezuelan human rights lawyer, Eva Golinger, documented links between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which grants $49 million annually to Honduras, and International Republican Institute (IRI), considered to be the international branch of the U.S. Republican Party, with groups involved in the Honduran coup.
Another "damning piece of evidence linking the IRI to the coup," Golinger argues, is a slideshow presentation by Susan Zelaya-Fenner, assistant program officer at IRI, on March 20, 2009, discussing the ‘good governance' program in Honduras during which she joked, "Coups are thought to be so three decades ago, until now (laughs, audience laughs), again."
"The majority of the recipients of [US AID] in Honduras, which comes in the form of funding, training, resources, strategic advice, communications counseling, political party strengthening and leadership training, are organizations directly linked to the recent coup d'etat," Golinger pointed out.
The organizations include the National Anti-corruption Council, the Archbishop of Tegucigalpa, the Honduran Private Enterprise Council (COHEP), the Council of University Deans, the Confederation of Honduran Workers (CTH), the National Convergence Forum, the Chamber of Commerce (FEDECAMARA), the Association of Private Media (AMC), the Peace and Democracy Group and the student group Generación X Change.
"These organizations form part of a coalition self-titled "Unión Cívica Democrática de Honduras" (Civil Democratic Union of Honduras) that has publicly backed the coup against President Zelaya," Golinger's report continued.
An indication of the US role is the extremely close military relationship between Washington and the Honduran military, US political analyst Michael Parenti argued.
"The Honduran military is trained, advised, equipped, indoctrinated, and financed by the United States national security state. The generals would never have dared to move without tacit consent from the White House or the Pentagon and CIA," he said.
Although the US has suspended "joint military operations" it continues to maintain around 600 military personnel in the Soto Cano airbase about 50km from Tegulcigalpa.
A press statement by the Honduran National Congress on Monday announced that a delegation of "Leading members of the Honduran National Congress and private sector and former members of the Honduran Judiciary will hold a press conference in Washington, D.C., to speak on recent events in Honduras."
"The delegation will be traveling to Washington for several days of meetings with United States policymakers to clarify any misunderstandings about Honduras' constitutional process and to discuss next steps to ensure the preservation of the country's democratic institutions," the statement continued.
Ian Kelly responded, "we don't know about a delegation coming here. So this is - if the delegation is from this de facto regime, the State Department wouldn't meet with them."
In Zelaya's highest-level talks with US officials since the coup he met with Hilary Clinton today in Washington. Clinton announced that Costa Rica's president, Oscar Arias would mediate talks between Zelaya and the de facto government.
"We are supporting the efforts that the OAS [Organisation of American States] has made but we think there needs to be a specific mediator," the US secretary of state said.
Speaking earlier from Russia, Obama said, "America supports now the restoration of the democratically elected president of Honduras, even though he has strongly opposed American policies".
Venezuelan political analyst and former vice-president José Vicente Rangel argued that the contradictory response of the US administration reflected two political lines in Honduras - a public one coming from Obama and the White House and the other from "the political machinery that remains in tact from the Bush administration," which is being apllied through the US military personal and advisors based in Honduras.
Intrigue in Honduras -- What are the rich really up to?
First a military coup in defense of a make believe Constitution, and then a grand televised return of deposed President that was doomed to fail. And now a real shocker to all his supporters, our hero Zelaya announces he would agree to give up all efforts to change the Constitution and be a lame duck President in submission to those who destroyed him.
Now, since the rich ruling class created their make believe Constitution in 1982, their biggest fear has been that a majority would get together and abolish it. And of late their second greatest fear is the progressive left in the Americas and the great strides it has made toward nationalizing natural resources such as oil, creating social forms of government and unique ways to outdo capitalism, especially the Bolivarian Alliance for Our Americas (ALBA).
And so, if President Zelaya should agree that their Constitution is eternal and impossible to abolish, then nothing short of a forceful overthrow of the government would ever change things for the better. And every dictator in the Americas would have a perfect way to violently stop any effort toward reform.
What next
When President Zelaya returns to office, he should 1, arrest Micheletti and Rameo Vasquez, and all graduates of the School of the America's, a quick trial for treason, and then taken out and shot. Send America's pimp Hugo Florens and all American military packing. You will never have peace in your country as long as the Cancer that is American Imperialism is allowed to fester in your country.
You hit the nail right smack in the head
I totally agree. But as of now, I hope Hugo Chavez, puts more pressure on Micheletti and the U.S with his Telesur media to try to stir up some more international pressure on the U.S tyrants and the colony of Honduras. Everytime I hear any U.S. president or govt. official talking about democracy (especially OBAMA) I want to vomit. Damn hypocrits. Then they complain why too many Latin Americans come to the U.S. illegaly. Well, for starters stop meddling and controlling other countries so they can find ways to help their people. Yes, U.S. imperialism is a DAMN CANCER. No wonder, Fidel Castro threw them out a long time ago. Fidel Castro is no fool and doesn't like to take orders from anybody, that is why the U.S. govt. doesn't get along with him. You can't blame him for having gutts and BRAINS, something that many Latin American govts. are in great need of.
Honduras Revolution -- Two hundred years in the making
During the 1st millennium A.D. Honduras was part of the great Maya civilization. Then it was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1502, then plundered by Spanish conquests and finally a rich and powerful oligarchy established Honduras as an independence nation in 1821.
And so, for the last 200 years a military and landholding elite has remained in power, an absolute dictatorship hidden by paid actor politicians and a make believe Constitution. Comes now President Chavez after having overcome the identical situation in Venezuela, by a bloodless revolution, and to so inspire President Zelaya that he now begins the Honduras Revolution.
Out of a population of 7.5 million over 4 million have below poverty wages. But most are dependent upon the rich ruling class for income and are not inclined to support a revolt. Still, as the Army of Honduras is less then 9,000, if only a half million Zelaya supporters, just 7% of population, were to march into their international airport and take it over, the Revolution would win without a shot being fired.
But it is the fear of death that keeps a population in submission to government deadly force, for the state has a monopoly on the use of force and violence. Especially in Honduras where a 5% white oligarchy owns 90% of the land, and economically enslaves a 90% nonwhite population.
IRI's response
Ms. Golinger's claim that IRI's programming somehow has a connection to the Honduras coup is as malicious as it is knowingly false. Considering the sensitivity and the seriousness of the situation in Tegucigalpa, one would think Ms. Golinger would be more responsible in her coverage, not just of IRI but of all agencies and organizations that devote time and resources to Honduras.
The bulk of IRI's programming in Honduras is concentrated on helping city governments better serve their citizens. Our program and record is very clear and transparent there. We encourage those who are interested to learn more about our governance programming at: http://www.iri.org/lac/cen_good_gov.asp. The other aspect to our program in Honduras seeks to help encourage political parties and civil society focus on substantive issues such as healthcare, roads, education and economic development. IRI stands by that work as well.
Eva Golinger is 100% right
IRI has invited members of the de facto government.
IRI openly supports the coup.
IRI seems to know that Obama pays lip-service only and wants to take credit for bringing "Freedom" and "Democracy" to Honduras.
IRI is in good company, the Pope's Cardinal openly supports the coup which requires the Pope's permission. The UN resolution in favor of Zelaya (198:1) was opposed by Israel only.
After the Pope and Obama meet, Obama will be entitled to wear a holy shine, and the IRI has lost all credibility in the world.
acnnews 7
Honduran Coup Perpetrators Visit the United States
HAVANA, Cuba. July 8 (acn) Representatives of the de facto government in
Honduras travelled to the United States to meet with US politicians for
several days, in a visit organized by Republican Senator John McCain.
Granma newspaper reports that McCain, a former US presidential candidate
and well known for his critical stance against Venezuela, Bolivia and
other countries in the region, would sponsor a press conference by these
visitors on Tuesday, at Washington’s National Press Club.
The purpose of this delegation, made up by members of the Honduran
National Congress, representatives from private sectors, and former
members of the judicial body, is to justify the military coup.
A report by the Spanish news agency EFE, confirmed the presence in
Washington of these coup perpetrators and the holding of the press
conference, in which former Honduran ambassador in the US, Roberto
Flores, described the coup against Zelaya as a constitutional solution.
Flores explained that this commission will be in the US capital until
Friday and will meet with some legislators, like Democrat leader Eliot
Engel, Republican congressman Lincoln Díaz-Balart and Democrat
congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford.
John McCain is the head of the board of directors of the International
Republican Institute (IRI), an entity considered to be the international
arm of the US Republican Party and that played a fundamental role in the
coup d’etat against Hugo Chávez in Venezuela in 2002.
Over the last year, he has worked in Honduras with funds from the
National Foundation for Democracy (NED), of over 1.2 million dollars, to
influence political parties and "support initiatives to implement
political positions during the 2009 campaigns".
Honduras 1982 constitution -- By and for the rich nobility
The fundamental principle of democracy, socialism or communism is, “A government derives its just powers by consent of the governed.” For the politicians who control government, and the laws and constitution that establish a government, in a just society they are in submission to the people and may be changed at will by the people.
But not so in a capitalist form of government such as that in Honduras. For in 1982 their rich nobility created a make believe constitution that made politicians more powerful then the people, as it decreed that only politicians could change the constitution. And in so doing made politicians eternal gods over an eternal constitution.
For neither democracy, socialism nor communism can live in peace and harmony with capitalism. For the fundamental principle of capitalism is, “Those with more wealth and power may enrich themselves upon the misery of anyone they can out compete, undercut, or drive out of business.”
For in 1821 a group of rich nobility in Honduras formed a military and declared independence from Spanish rule. Comes now two hundred years later and the blood decedents of the Honduras founding fathers to be among the 5% rich nobility that owns 90% of the land and wealth in this rich man’s dictatorship known as Honduras.
The moment of truth
Now is the moment of truth for ALBA. Will the countries unite to expel the coup regime? There are historical precedents. Remember that Vietnam invaded Cambodia to expel Pol Pot's gang.
Constitution or a manifesto -- Just society or a dictatorship
Constitution or a manifesto -- Which did the Honduras military create in 1981
A Constitution is the organized will of the people and forces the government to be in submission to the people, as the Constitution and government may be changed at will by the people.
Whereas a manifesto is the organized will of those who have a monopoly on the use of force and violence, and it forces the people to be in submission to violence, as the manifesto and government may be changed at will by those who control violence.
And so in Honduras, does a Constitution give the people absolute power over the government, or does a manifesto give the government absolute power over the people?
Revolution in progress -- Best options forward
(1) A march by half million Hondurans, just 7% of the people, and freedom from despair and violence is theirs.
(2) A half dozen more nations join ALBA, and together they order the Honduran military to disband or face an invasion.
(3) OAS [Organization of American States] gives Empire USA an ultimatum: Cut off all aid and assistance to the Honduras government or face a ten year expulsion.
(4) If Israel can cutoff all trade in and out of Gaza, by land, sea and air, then the Americas can do the same to the Honduras dictatorship.
(5) Americas remove all U.S. based from their soil and threaten more sanctions unless rich U.S. corporations stop ordering Obama to continue their ungodly coup in Honduras.
(6) Expel from the Americas any rich corporation that is now exporting from Honduras: silver, lead, zinc, Bananas, coffee, frozen meat, wood, timber and shellfish, their main exports.
(7) Begin an international criminal investigation and expose to all the world the real reason why imperial USA refuses to stop terrorizing the Americas with one military coup after another.
(8) Convince the Americas that no great power, especially the U.S. since World War Two, has ever stopped expanding its military until nations finally could no longer stomach it, and organized against it.
If Obama did not start the coup -- why is he acting so guilty?
Obama refused at first to call it a coup, refuses even now to cut off all aid to the coup, wants a compromise that would only reward the coup and encourage many another coup, refuses to withdraw his ambassador from Honduras, refuses to close down our air base in Honduras, no talk of a trade embargo on Honduras -- is Obama in love with the coup leaders in Honduras?
Could it be that he wants the Americas to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was behind the coup? For the terrorizing effect of it would send a chill down the spine of any president in the hemisphere who even thinks about defying the will of U.S. imperialists.