U.S. Suspends Foreign Aid to Honduras
Yesterday the State Department issued a foolish Termination of Assistance and Other Measures Affecting the De Facto Regime in Honduras
My latest post, U.S. Suspends Foreign Aid to Honduras, is up at Real Clear World.
Tags: Fausta's blog, Manuel Zelaya, Mel Zelaya, Real Clear World, Real Clear World Blog
September 4th, 2009 at 8:41 am
So know we are treating a small struggling democracy the same way we treat the Iranians, the Cubans and the North Koreans? I am filled with pride at such an indication of the strong moral fiber of our current administration.
Plus it might be wise to note that whenever a capitalist country is treated such it actually helps their economy because they are more aggresive in finding new export opportunities and diversification of their products.
September 4th, 2009 at 9:31 am
Lord Peter Bauer proved decades ago that government-to-government aid usually does more harm than good. The money usually ends up in the hands of grafting officials, or if it does go to poor people it often fosters dependency. I don’t know how our foreign aid to Honduras has been handled in the past, but Honduras may be better off without it. And incidentally, our government will have relinquished its leverage with subsequent administrations in Honduras.
Of course I’m not defending Obama and Clinton here. I doubt that either of them has even heard of Bauer. They’re reflexively acting out their far-left ideology.
September 4th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Well said, Aileen. Gubmint foreign aid is also, as seen in the current example, an implicit threat – its threatened withdrawal can be expected to bring a regime to heel. Unless the recipient has the moral fiber and belief in self-government that the Hondurans are showing in spades.
Now my question: Powerline blog writes: http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2009/09/024437.php
“What is to be done? We can urge the State Department not designate the removal of the former Honduran president from office as a military coup. We can also express support for the constitutional government of Honduras by contacting the Embassy of Honduras in the United States. Its address is 3007 Tilden St. NW, #4M, Washington, DC 20008-3008. You can contact it at (202) 966-7702 (telephone), (202) 966-9751 (fax), and embajadadehondurasdc@yahoo.com (email).
“UPDATE: Honduras’s Washington embassy is in the hands of Zelaya supporters. Other ideas for expressing support of the constitutional government of Honduras would be greatly appreciated.”
Any suggestions?
September 4th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
The State Department has a contact spot on its website- http://www.state.gov , down at the bottom of the page. You can express your displeasure. Not that it will do any good, but it might make you feel better.