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October 30, 2009 By Fausta

Honduran government caves into US pressure, agrees to Zelaya’s restitution

miche291ban

The BBC phrases it tactfully: Honduras rivals resolve deadlock

The interim leader of Honduras says he is ready to sign a pact to end its crisis which could include the return of ousted President Manuel Zelaya.

Roberto Micheletti said the agreement would create a power-sharing government and require both sides to recognise the result of November’s presidential poll.

Mr Zelaya said the deal, which requires the approval of the Supreme Court and Congress, would be signed on Friday.
…
The opponents had earlier been told by US Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon that they had to reach an accord in order to ensure international support for the election on 29 November.

Afterwards, Mr Micheletti announced that a power-sharing deal had been reached that included a “significant concession”.

“I have authorised my negotiating team to sign a deal that marks the beginning of the end of the country’s political situation,” the interim leader told a news conference.

“With regard to the most contentious subject in the deal, the possible restitution of Zelaya to the presidency” would be included, he said.

Mr Zelaya described the accord as a “triumph for Honduran democracy”, and said he was “optimistic” of returning to power.

Noticias 24, however, states it as it is: Micheletti sucumbe a la presión de EE.UU. y acepta la restitución de Zelaya (Micheletti caves under US pressure and agrees to Zelaya’s return). Noticias 24 lists the main points of the agreement (my translation: if you use this translation please credit me and link to this post):

1. The creation of a reconciliation government.
2. Rejection of political amnesty.
3. Recognition of the November 29 elections.
4. Transferring control of the Armed Forces from the Executive to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal.
5. Creating a verification commission to enforce compliance with the agreement.
6. Creating a truth commission to investigate the events before, during and after June 28, the date of Zelaya’s removal.
7. Requesting that the international community end all sanctions against Honduras and that they send in observers to the presidential election.
8. Supporting the proposal for a vote of the National Congress with the approval of the Supreme Court of Justice to reinstate all the Executive Power prior to June 28, that is, restoring Zelaya to power.

Both sides signed the agreement.

La Gringa, who liveblogged last night’s news, posted

Worst news of all: supposedly Thomas Shannon has been pressuring the congressmen to vote for the restoration of Zelay or else! The exact words were that “Shannon scared the living hell out of everyone here including Micheletti.” Yeah, remember the press conference? “We’re just here to help. We aren’t going to intervene. We’ll respect any decision that the Hondurans make.” Yeah, right. Now they are even threatening elected Honduran officials that they won’t recognize elections unless they vote yes. I’m sure there must be economic threats as well.

El Heraldo (in Spanish) makes it clear that US State Dept. envoy for Latin America Thomas Shannon went to Honduras to twist arms: his position was that the November 29 elections would not be recognized unless Zelaya was returned to power. I guess nothing ensures democracy like restoring to power the guy who did his outmost to undermine democracy, at least in Shannon’s eyes.

Others reporting:
NY Times Deal Reached in Honduras to Restore Ousted President
WaPo: In Pakistan, Clinton announces resolution to Honduran crisis
The Guardian: Deal could lead to reinstatement of ousted Honduran president Manuel Zelaya
Agreement to create power-sharing government paves way for return of leader ousted in military coup

Here in the US, John Kerry wants Law Library report on Honduras retracted (the Library of Congress stands by its report), while yesterday in Honduras Zelaya warmly greeted Shannon in the room with the tin-foil curtains where he stays at the Brazilian embassy to protect himself from mind-altering radiation:

ZelayaShannon

Zelaya crowed

“The mere fact that Micheletti recognizes the need to rebring the state power to June 28 means a triumph for Honduran democracy.”

Related reading: Who’s behind the Obama Honduras policy?

Blog reaction
US crams Honduras agreement on return of Zelaya down government’s throat
Honduras Caves to US Interference
Zelaya returned to power
AN OBAMA ADMINISTRATION “TRIUMPH”
Scott Johnson

It is perfectly fitting that the signal diplomatic triumph of President Obama’s first year in office is the restoration to power of the lawfully deposed Honduran thug and friend of Fidel Castro, Daniel Ortega and Hugh Chavez. It is inimical to the national interest of the United States. it is a setback for the supporters of democracy in the beleaguered country of Honduras. And it is a defeat for those who believe in the rule of law. It is, in other words, a triumph of “smart diplomacy.”

Zelaya To Return As President Of Honduras, But Only To Sit On His Proktos
Ousted Leftist Zelaya & Honduran Government Sign Pact
Smart Diplomacy: Mrs. Clinton Helps Re-install Ousted Honduran Thug
Times of London:

The breakthrough came after renewed pressure from senior US officials who travelled to Honduras this week for a last-ditch effort to end the crisis.

Chicago comes to Honduras
Honduran Government Succumbs to the Obama Administration’s Pressure, Fellow Marxist Manuel Zelaya Will Be Returned to Power…..
Micheletti Caves in Honduras
Telling It as It Is — New York Times Style
Honduras Folds Part 2
Meanwhile, back in Honduras
Zelaya’s back!
Under U.S. Pressure, Bankrupt Honduras Agrees to Return Authoritarian Ex-President to Power
Obama Administration Forces Honduran Capitulation to Chaves Wanna-Be
The Rank Stench of Success
The Democrats in Honduras
A Settlement is Achieved in Honduras. Elections to be Respected, Zelaya’s future uncertain.
Travesty in Honduras
Who Came out of the Honduran Crisis Looking the Best? Hillary.
Ros-Lehtinen Comments on Developments in Honduras
Zelaya To Be Temporarily Restored to Office In Honduras; Recent Killings Definitely Not Related, No Sir
Finally: Obama gets a foreign policy success—unfortunately, it’s in Honduras, not Iran
US Makes Honduras Restore President
Fausta: “Honduran Government Caves” to US; Restores Zelaya
Everyone’s mighty confident about this Honduras deal
Obama Saves Face – Forces Honduran Congress To Go Through The Motions Of Restating Their Position On Zelaya
Honduras: Sold out
Don’t pack your bags yet, Mel
Reports of a Deal in Honduras Are Premature
Honduras: An Obama-Clinton disgrace
Return of the Honduran Prodigal

The U.S. embassy in Honduras did yeomen’s work watching out for the interests of the Zelaya clan, leaving many to wonder which side it was pulling for. In short, against a small, friendly, anti-Chávez ally, the administration mustered the sort of muscle it would never dare use against Iran, Russia, or Venezuela.

The accord requires implementation by the Hondurans, good behavior by Zelaya, and a quick infusion of international support for the elections. It requires hands-on U.S. diplomacy, not pre-June 28 complacency, to make sure Zelaya doesn’t yet derail the electoral process and steal Honduras from under the eyes of the Obama administration.

Potential Deal Reached In Honduras
Honduras agreement allows Zelaya return

Post re-edited to correct a broken link. Blog reaction roundup will be updated through the day.

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Filed Under: Honduras, Latin America Tagged With: Fausta's blog, Manuel Zelaya, Mel Zelaya, Roberto Micheletti, Thomas Shannon, US State Department

Comments

  1. karateka says

    October 30, 2009 at 9:30 am

    I can’t believe Honduras is giving in to a dictator, no matter the terms. I only hope it is a political tactic, and the congress and supreme court put the kibosh on this nonsense.

  2. Eric says

    October 30, 2009 at 9:36 am

    I have never been so saddened and disgusted by my own government as I am today.

  3. Tin Kicker says

    October 30, 2009 at 9:46 am

    Its simple – Obama and his cronies do not recognize any Constitution, ours or anyone else’s. This is Chicago politics applied to the world stage.

  4. Burt says

    October 30, 2009 at 10:12 am

    In return for the pressure exerted against the Honduran Courts and Military, The US administration expects international pressure to be exerted against our Courts and Military in the event that the U. S. Military should decide to fulfil their oath and protect our Constitution against Domestic enemies.

  5. Brad says

    October 30, 2009 at 10:21 am

    Since the start of this issue, I’ve pointed to it as the roots of Obama’s political character. I am ashamed of our government, and hope someday in a few years we can make it up to the Hondurans. Our president is a shallow, callous, and stupid man.

  6. ryukyu says

    October 30, 2009 at 10:46 am

    This is pretty much just how the Democrats treated the Cuban’s who returned with US cooperation to retake their country. After they landed the US bailed an left them to die at the hands of Che and Castro. Unless you’re the resident dictator, don’t plan on any support from Democrats.

  7. civil truth says

    October 30, 2009 at 10:58 am

    Lefists have never forgotten and never wavered from their goals of socialist revolutions throughout Latin America and the replacement of democracy by one-party dictatorships. Marxist ideologues still believe in their socialist utopia, no matter how high the body count has proven to be.

    This is payback by the folks who had their dreams smashed by the overthrow of Salvador Allende in 1973. These 70s radicals are now in charge of U.S. foreign policy and finally have had their chance to overthrown a free society in favor of another leftist tyrant.

    For that matter, the rest of the U.S. foreign policy is a throwback to the program of the 70s radicals who are still following the same play book. For those too young to remember, a little research will be very revealing

  8. DirtCrashr says

    October 30, 2009 at 11:03 am

    That SO sucks, it so hugely sucks.

  9. Lily says

    October 30, 2009 at 11:30 am

    My heart is heavy, and I am ashamed for my country for the part it played. I can only hope this turns out well for democracy in Honduras.

  10. SoupOrMan says

    October 30, 2009 at 11:36 am

    So, where do we send the “lo siento mucho para mi Presidente que mas tonto” cards? (Spanish isn’t my best language, mind you. I haven’t had a chance to use it properly for a long time.)

    It’s not like we have an Air Force base in Soto Cano or anything where hundreds of Americans could be put into harms’ way thanks to Zelaya and other Chavista cronies or anything…

  11. Quixote says

    October 30, 2009 at 12:07 pm

    We had been looking at buying a vacation home in Roatan, Honduras, largely because of the history of constitutional rule of law in Honduras. Now, I guess we’ll look at Belize or Costa Rica again.

  12. La Gringa says

    October 30, 2009 at 12:36 pm

    That photo! It must have been taken while Micheletti was looking at his notes before the speech. I saw the whole speech. He was strong and he did not bow his head. He was probably threatened with being blamed for starving children.

    I can’t believe all the news articles which read that Micheletti agreed to restore Zelaya or something similar. First, Zelaya didn’t even sign the agreement yet. Second, it is still up to the congress. We still have hope, though with US intervention, it isn’t looking good.

    Honduras still needs help with election observers. If congress does not vote to restore Zelaya, the US will withdraw their supposed support for the elections and the next elected president. Please see my article about how you or your group can help Honduras:

    Here is how you can help Honduras

    I strongly believe that in or out of office, Zelaya and/or his followers will continue to try to sabotage elections. Hey, Fausta, we’d love to have you!

  13. Jim says

    October 30, 2009 at 1:56 pm

    Micheletti will be dead along with some of the Supreme Court justices within the year.

  14. jlh says

    October 30, 2009 at 3:18 pm

    Has anyone asked how these events relate to the recent execution-style killing of one of Micheletti’s relatives, I believe a nephew.

  15. ewetender says

    October 30, 2009 at 3:19 pm

    I hope it is just a ruse to get Zelaya out of the embassy and throw his ass in jail.

  16. voirdire says

    October 30, 2009 at 4:37 pm

    Lipstick on a pig.

  17. Spiny Norman says

    October 30, 2009 at 4:55 pm

    Any word if the upcoming elections will actually take place, or will Zelaya try to suspend them (with the backing of the Obama administration – who claim they will not recognize any election if Zelaya is not on the ballot)?

  18. Fausta says

    October 30, 2009 at 5:00 pm

    Spiny,
    The elections are scheduled for November 29, and all sides apparently have agreed to abide by that date.

  19. Spiny Norman says

    October 30, 2009 at 5:20 pm

    Good.

    Will Zelaya be on the ballot, or will he abide by the Honduran Constitution and step aside after the election?

    I’m honestly disgusted by my government’s role in this, and have a very bad feeling about what might happen.

  20. Mary says

    October 30, 2009 at 5:20 pm

    Despite all the many reasons to be distressed about the Obama administration, the Honduras policy was the tipping point for me. May these people save themselves through the elections (if they are even remotely fair.) I only hope the US can someday redeem itself here.

  21. Fausta says

    October 30, 2009 at 5:29 pm

    Zelaya’s name won’t be on the ballot, at least as of now.

  22. Spiny Norman says

    October 30, 2009 at 5:39 pm

    ::fingers crossed::

  23. Trouble says

    October 30, 2009 at 5:41 pm

    Manuel Zelaya… brought to you by the Obama administration. Robert Mugabe… brought to you by the Carter administration.

    Democrats can be counted upon to fellate tinhorn dictators, wherever in the the world they may be.

  24. Caststeel says

    October 30, 2009 at 7:20 pm

    Thanks Fausta.
    So this is the diplomacy that FL touted while campaigning. Well it’s working … against allies.
    Honduras recovered its independence not so long ago. HOPE they do not need to again.

    Flying Betsy Ross

  25. Anna says

    October 31, 2009 at 1:02 am

    Thank you for all the work you’ve done on this blog to keep us informed about the travesty in Honduras. I am embarrassed and ashamed because of what my country has done in siding with Zelaya and against the constitution of Honduras. God bless the Honduran people, and I pray that they are able to carry out a fair and democratic election in November.

  26. Americaneocon says

    October 31, 2009 at 2:03 am

    Thanks Fausta!

  27. larry says

    October 31, 2009 at 8:32 am

    “There seems to be plenty of misreporting on this initially… The [Washington] Post and some other places have reported that Clinton has said that the agreement says that Zelaya will return to power, but this is not accurate as far as I can tell,” said Ian Vasquez, director of the Cato Institute’s Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity, in an interview with NewMajority. Read entire article…

  28. UNRR says

    October 31, 2009 at 8:34 am

    This post has been linked for the HOT5 Daily 10/31/2009, at The Unreligious Right

  29. Fausta says

    October 31, 2009 at 8:47 am

    Thanks UNRR!

  30. Fausta says

    October 31, 2009 at 8:47 am

    Do you have a link, Larry?

  31. Michael Fidanza says

    October 31, 2009 at 7:36 pm

    Fausta – Excellent work!! You OWN the entire Western Hemisphere sough of Texas. Another fantastic piece.

    Congratulations on the HotAir.com link!

    Michael

  32. Kermit says

    November 1, 2009 at 12:12 am

    However, the legislature and supreme court in Honduras can stall for a few weeks, can’t they. Thus it is only a face saving for Obambi, Chavez, et al.

  33. jorge a. c. says

    November 1, 2009 at 2:16 pm

    Madrid’s “El País”, a leftist newspaper has this editorial “La derrota de Zelaya” (Zelaya’s defeat. calm down, read the article (if you could read spanish)

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