Honduran deadlock needs to reopen soon
Joe Fleishman
August 02, 2009
The Honduran Government denied to reinstate their ousted President Manuel Zelaya. Facing heavy international pressure makes the interim President Roberto Micheletti speaks little softer but still he denies to restore Mr. Zelaya to his office.
President Micheletti said he is ready to resign if that would bring peace for the nation but he is completely not in a position to sacrifice it for Mr. Zelaya. This is almost sure Micheletti´s new announcement will raise new concern once again.
Ousted President Zelaya has taken refuge in neighboring Nicaragua. Nicaraguan President has taken several initiatives to negotiate with Honduras´s military backed government. But none of those initiatives were become successful yet.
Mr. Manuel Zelaya urged U.S. to create pressure on Honduran government. U.S. later announced it will not allow diplomatic visa to the four member of the government including Interim President Roberto Micheletti. U.S. pressure weakens Honduran interim government although they deny rehabilitating President Zelaya. But some optimist believes that may be the government would let him return back to Honduras.
It is clear that the military backed interim government do not want the President Manuel Zelaya to participate in their national election schedule to hold on this November. Negotiators are insisting that President Zelaya will return back to his presidency and will complete his remaining times in office which the government refused to accept.
More negotiation is still underway. The key issue here is to whether to let ousted President Zelaya back to his office or not. Interim government is anxious if Zelaya will back to his office he may try to change the constitution which could reelect him for the second time in office. Micheletti´s government doesn´t want to see it.
The background behind the coup:
President Manuel Zelaya was getting influenced by the neighboring leftist nations. He initiate reestablishing diplomatic tie with communist Cuba. His government improves relationship with Venezuela. Zelaya signed Petrocaribe agreement with Venezuela which Venezuela sells oil to poorer countries in the region.
He joined the protest with Venezuela and Bolivia to reduce U.S. influence in the region. Later Honduras rejected to accept U.S. Ambassador. In March 2008 U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned melon from Honduras, President Manuel Zelaya said that was injustice.
Some of his actions made happy to the lower earning community but he lost support from his own Labor party. Zelaya´s Latin American allies like Venezuela, Argentina changed their constitution on the pretext of one term in office is not enough to implement the policies. He too was pushed to hold a vote asking the Honduran electorate whether they were in favor of constitutional reforms by setting up a constituent assembly. Honduran Supreme Court declared such a vote illegal and in violation of the constitution.
In spite of the strong opposition Zelaya was determined with his plan. He insisted the vote to be held on June 28. Military intervened in this backdrop. They took the control and send Mr. Zelaya outside the country.
Micheletti is a long time rival of Mr. Zelaya. He stood in the labor party primary for the November election.
It is very important that both sides should reach in an agreement soon. Some experts believe otherwise the country may stand face to face of a bloody civil war.
President Micheletti said he is ready to resign if that would bring peace for the nation but he is completely not in a position to sacrifice it for Mr. Zelaya. This is almost sure Micheletti´s new announcement will raise new concern once again.
Ousted President Zelaya has taken refuge in neighboring Nicaragua. Nicaraguan President has taken several initiatives to negotiate with Honduras´s military backed government. But none of those initiatives were become successful yet.
Mr. Manuel Zelaya urged U.S. to create pressure on Honduran government. U.S. later announced it will not allow diplomatic visa to the four member of the government including Interim President Roberto Micheletti. U.S. pressure weakens Honduran interim government although they deny rehabilitating President Zelaya. But some optimist believes that may be the government would let him return back to Honduras.
It is clear that the military backed interim government do not want the President Manuel Zelaya to participate in their national election schedule to hold on this November. Negotiators are insisting that President Zelaya will return back to his presidency and will complete his remaining times in office which the government refused to accept.
More negotiation is still underway. The key issue here is to whether to let ousted President Zelaya back to his office or not. Interim government is anxious if Zelaya will back to his office he may try to change the constitution which could reelect him for the second time in office. Micheletti´s government doesn´t want to see it.
The background behind the coup:
President Manuel Zelaya was getting influenced by the neighboring leftist nations. He initiate reestablishing diplomatic tie with communist Cuba. His government improves relationship with Venezuela. Zelaya signed Petrocaribe agreement with Venezuela which Venezuela sells oil to poorer countries in the region.
He joined the protest with Venezuela and Bolivia to reduce U.S. influence in the region. Later Honduras rejected to accept U.S. Ambassador. In March 2008 U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned melon from Honduras, President Manuel Zelaya said that was injustice.
Some of his actions made happy to the lower earning community but he lost support from his own Labor party. Zelaya´s Latin American allies like Venezuela, Argentina changed their constitution on the pretext of one term in office is not enough to implement the policies. He too was pushed to hold a vote asking the Honduran electorate whether they were in favor of constitutional reforms by setting up a constituent assembly. Honduran Supreme Court declared such a vote illegal and in violation of the constitution.
In spite of the strong opposition Zelaya was determined with his plan. He insisted the vote to be held on June 28. Military intervened in this backdrop. They took the control and send Mr. Zelaya outside the country.
Micheletti is a long time rival of Mr. Zelaya. He stood in the labor party primary for the November election.
It is very important that both sides should reach in an agreement soon. Some experts believe otherwise the country may stand face to face of a bloody civil war.
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