Arkiv for October, 2009
The so denominated ‘Guaymuras dialogue’ between delegations representing Zelaya and Micheletti was declared finished Thursday at 12 midnight. The dialogue which started October 7 under the supervision of three OAS-delegates showed progress during the first week and the delegations came to agreement on all the points of the Arias plan – except the one about the reinstatement of Zelaya as president. The two parts have been presenting proposals and counterproposals on that point during the last week but on Thursday Zelaya decided to finally end the dialogue, because none of the Micheletti proposals were considered neither serious nor within the frame of the Arias plan. Zelaya and his delegation state that they are ready to consider any serious proposal from the de facto government, but that the ‘Guaymuras dialogue’ had become yet another dilatory maneuver of the de facto government. …
Continue Reading October 24th, 2009
The OAS mission came Wednesday and left again Thursday. Its achievement was to make a delegation representing Micheletti meet with a delegation representing Zelaya, and to assure that the two delegations agreed on an agenda for a dialogue. Before leaving, the mission issued a statement publishing the agenda and calling on appropriate conditions for the dialogue to be provided for:
Statement of the OAS delegation in Honduras
The dialogue went on Friday and some hours on Saturday – then it was suspended until Tuesday. The ‘appropriate conditions’ have not been provided for, hence, the decree which revoked the decree suspending basic civil liberties has not been published yet – which means that the constitutional rights are still suspended.
More talks in Honduran crisis, but no deal sighted
The two delegations are still discussing the first issue of the agenda – the signing of the Arias plan. They have reached agreement of some points – the creation of a joint cabinet and that no one will be granted amnesty of any kind. The joint cabinet is, however, dependent on whether or not Zelaya is restored in office – the crucial point of the Arias plan which is to be discussed on Tuesday.
Coup amnesty off the table as Honduras talks pause
Even while the decree suspending civil liberties has not been officially revoked yet, Micheletti has issued other two decrees. One stating that media which are considered to be a threat to national security may be closed or have their license canceled (this is like a renewal of part of the ‘old’ decree), and another one ordering public schools closed and handed over to the army by the end of October (allegedly to prepare the elections…). Students will not have to do the general exam; they will be promoted automatically to the next grade. Teachers are to consider November a month of vacations – without salary.
Speculations continue on whether or not the coup-backers are reconsidering – and about the role of the USA:
Where is Honduras Headed?
Wrong Advice
At the same time, however, Micheletti – and the armed forces – are firm in their actions. Ignoring the call from the OAS and the UN to ‘take it easy’ on the population and the Brazilian embassy, the repression continued after the OAS mission left. Thursday night, snipers were placed on a platform in front of the Brazilian embassy, constantly threatening to shoot:
Honduran soldiers erect platform to intimidate Brazilian embassy
The same evening a statement from the UN raised concern about the presence of mercenaries in Honduras. Rumors about ex-members of paramilitary Colombian groups have been mentioned several times over the last months, but it seems that they should be taken seriously now:
UN human rights experts raise concern over growing use of foreign mercenaries in Honduras
International solidarity continues at all levels – here is an open letter from the President of the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) send to the EU today:
The FIDH urges the European Union to maintain a forceful position on the coup d’état in Honduras and to reject the electoral process in view of persistent human rights violations
During last week the following poll about the political situation in Honduras was published. Among other things, it places Manuel Zelaya as the most popular person in Honduras (followed by his wife, Xiomara Castro de Zelaya) – and Micheletti as the least popular person.
Poll: Wide Majority of Hondurans Oppose Coup d’Etat, Want Zelaya Back
October 12th, 2009
Today – day 100 since the coup – marks the beginning of what is thought to be the most decisive week since the coup. An OAS delegation is expected to arrive on Wednesday with the purpose of promoting a dialogue and restore democracy in Honduras. The delegation will be headed by General Secretary José Miguel Insulza and include representatives from Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama, Canada, Jamaica, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Argentina and Brazil. Furthermore the delegation will include the Spanish Secretary of State for Ibero-America and a representative from the UN Secretary General:
OAS mission will arrive in Honduras this Wednesday, October 7
As the delegation arrives the civil liberties will be restored in Honduras – today Micheletti decided to revoke the decree issued Sunday 27th of September, which were to limit fundamental rights during 45 days:
Honduras Government Revokes Rights-Limiting Decree
The consequences of the decree together with the world’s economic sanctions on Honduras seem to be softening up some of the key-persons behind the coup. Hence, last week some businessmen and politicians met with the American ambassador in Tegucigalpa, Hugo Llorens, and an OAS diplomat, John Biel, who arrived to prepare the OAS delegation’s visit, to discuss the situation and even propose alternative solutions to the crisis:
A crack appears in Honduras’ deadlock
At the same time, Micheletti is receiving moral support from republican members of the US Congress. Last Friday he was visited by a group of Congress-members, who assured him, that they would talk to the US President to make him change his mind about the economic sanctions. This could be a result of the work of a PR shop, which the Micheletti government hired little more than two weeks ago to do advocacy in Washington:
Honduran government hires PR shop
A group of democrat Congress-members where however quick to react on the news of the republicans’ visit and send immediately this open letter to the Honduran Congress:
An Open Letter to the Congress of Honduras
Last week was obviously marked by more repression than usually, due to the non-existence of civil liberties:
Dozens of Zelaya supporters held
Honduran Security Forces Accused of Abuse
In spite of the repression, the Resistance continues, and Radio Globo has found alternative ways of broadcasting via the internet:
http://www.radioglobohonduras.com or http://www.libreexpresion.tk
International solidarity is still strong – see pictures from a solidarity demonstration in El Salvador here
I would also like to share this documentary – it’s a bit slow to download, but worth it:
“Nothing happening” in Honduras
October 5th, 2009
