Week Summary, October 25-31

November 1st, 2009

The visit from the US-delegation (Sub-Secretary of State for Latin America Thomas Shannon, National Security Council Advisor on Latin America Dan Restrepo, and Adjunct Secretary of State Craig Kelly), turned out to have an effective influence on Micheletti. The delegation arrived on Wednesday and Thursday night Micheletti announced that he was willing to let congress decide on whether or not Zelaya should return to office. This is the first time Micheletti has opened up for the restitution of Zelaya. Friday morning the two parts signed an agreement which were then handed over to congress for their consideration. The agreement consists in the points already agreed upon in the Guaymuras dialogue plus the possible restitution of Zelaya. USA and OAS are already lifting sanctions and preparing for the composition of missions to observe the elections.

Deal Set to Restore Ousted Honduran President

Obama Scores Regional Points with Zelaya’s Return

Statement of the OAS secretary general regarding the agreement reached in Honduras

While diplomats were celebrating and congratulating each other on Friday, some members of congress started spreading doubts and uncertainties in Honduras such as: ‘who knows when congress will be able to meet; they are all busy in their electoral campaigns’ and ‘there is no guarantee that congress will vote in favor of the restitution of Zelaya’. According to Victor Meza – head of Zelaya’s negotiation-team – an initial plan was to celebrate the restitution of Zelaya in a ceremony with international guests to endorse the act already on Monday, but now a spokesperson from congress says that they will not be able to meet until Tuesday.

Part of the agreement is to form a so called ‘reconciliation and unity’ government. According to Meza this government is to be formed and installed at latest on November 5^th. And it is the idea that Zelaya head that government. If he is not reinstated before that date, the agreement would fall apart, and Honduras would face a second coup d’état, Meza says. Zelaya, however, expresses confidence in his restitution.

Honduran Congress to review crisis accord Tuesday

Honduras: Solution or Stall?

Don’t believe the hype about the “historic deal” reached in Honduras – no justice for the people

During this week some democrat US-congress members drew attention to the official report made in the US on Honduras and demanded it redrawn or corrected. This report can be considered part of the reason why the USA never determined the coup in Honduras to be a military coup:

Kerry, Berman want controversial Honduras report to be retracted

Whatever happens next week, there is no doubt that the present agreement is a huge step forward. There is also no doubt that the most important reason for this to have happened is the persistence of the people who have been in resistance for more than 4 months. Here is an article about the strengths of the Resistance:

Honduras: Growing Political and Organizational Maturity Will Bring Victory

In spite of the progress of diplomacy, repression continues – even the very day US officials were meeting with the two parts:

The negotiation is in the streets: A day of resistance and repression

And Zelaya is still holed up in the Brazilian Embassy:

Sleepless nights holed up in Brazilian Embassy

The armed forces where handed over to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal on Thursday – I guess with the purpose of engaging fully in the preparation of the elections. However, they are still on the streets together with the police, repressing people who are demonstrating peacefully.

The Resistance is planning on meeting at the congress on Monday at 8.00 am. – and stay there until congress has taken a decision. Then they will (hopefully) go to the Brazilian embassy and bring Zelaya to the presidential palace. If Zelaya is not reinstated, the plan continues to be a boycott of the elections.

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