Collins Report

By Bruce Karlson

On June 28, the Honduran Supreme Court ordered the arrest of then president Manuel Zelaya. In a clear violation of the Honduran Constitution, Zelaya had attempted to have a plebiscite on the Constitution. His idea was to modify it, Chavez style, to negate the one term restriction and enable him to serve multiple terms. It’s a clear violation of Honduran law for a president to even to suggest such a change, something only their Congress can do.

The Supreme Court and the military chiefs warned him to no avail. Only after Zelaya made clear moves to have the vote, (ballots courtesy of his new friend Hugo Chavez), the Supreme Court had to take action. It ordered the Army to arrest Zelaya and give him the option of trial or exile which he took.

The constitutionally next in line to be president was Roberto Micheletti, “Speaker of the House”. He has attempted to maintain Honduran democracy.

Nevertheless, the world aligned itself against Honduras and demanded the return of Zelaya, the wannabe dictator for life. Micheletti has been adamant Zelaya will be prosecuted if he returns. He vows no amount of pressure can reinstate Zelaya.

Things have been tense but calm for Honduras for July and most of August.

American Left to Zelaya’s rescue

The Obama Administration has cut off $16,000,000 in military aid, referred to the Honduran government as “de facto” or “interim”, but avoided formally declaring the circumstances of Zelaya’s removal as a “coup”.

On Thursday Obama ratcheted up the pressure and threatened to formally designate the Honduran government as a “coup” even though the events do not fit any normal definition of a coup.

If so designated, all aid will cease and a nation struggling to retain a fragile democracy, will likely go the way of Venezuela.

I am sure Hugo will call up Barack to cackle about how they made the Hondurans cave in. I’m equally sure Hugo will be quick to “help Honduras in her time of crisis.”

In response Micheletti has offered Zelaya an amnesty allowing his return as a private citizen, but nothing more. In spite of not having anything to offer instead of this generous gesture, the Organization of American States immediately rejected the pososal. If Zelaya is remotely the patriot he claims to be, he would quickly accept the offer and end this ordeal for his country, but he won’t. Why should he when he has Barack Obama the most powerful man in the hemisphere carrying his water?

There is hope

It’s likely the Hondurans will hold out as the world piles on. My guess is their only hope is Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, whom I believe has resisted the “knee jerks” to date. She is certainly tough enough to buck the bureaucracy, but may lack interest.

The tea leaves for the Honduran people are forbidding but they will not sell out cheaply. Pray for them.

Comments on this or any other Collins Report essay can be sent to kcoachc “at” gmail.com