Honduran Coup: Zelaya is Not the Victim
The US and EU, as well as the UN have condemned the alleged Honduras “coup” and demanded that ousted president “Mel” Zelaya be reinstated to office. But what they are calling a coup was not really one at all.
The current political development surrounding the ousted president “Mel” Zelaya begins not on June 28th, the day of his disempowerment. Zelaya has a long political history and his disposition is of his own making. The media's portrayals of Zeleya as a victim contrast with the views of the Hondurans themselves. As Hondurans see it, parliament and the judiciary acted constitutionally. The military did not get involved in political decisions, but rather was following orders given by the Attorney General and the Supreme Court. After doing so the army retreated into the barracks. No general is in power, quite to the contrary: the majority of the newly sworn-in cabinet members already were members of Zelaya’s government. No sign of a military junta. Zelaya aimed for endless government. In reality Zelaya was able to get out of his self-made tight spot in the last minute in which he had put himself by repeatedly breaking the law. This is the key to understanding the parliament’s decision and the actions of the military. Zeleya has been attempting to circumvent provisions in Honduras’ constitution that prevent him from staying in office.
The current situation escalated when Zelaya ordered the armed forces to support him logistically in his attempt to conduct the unconstitutional referendum, and the armed forces’ leadership – backed by a decision of the Attorney General – denied this request. Zelaya consequently deposed of the military leadership. Disempowerment occurred so as to protect the constitution. If one follows the chain of events, the deposition of Zelaya looks quite different. One cannot speak of a “military junta” currently holding power in Honduras. Rather the speaker of the parliament took control of the government in the name of the parliament. This is exactly what the constitution calls for in such situations: a speaker who sticks to the parliamentary elections in November and assumes responsibility for the country during this interim period.
Honduras needs mediation instead of sanctions. The situation has not been defused yet. Zelaya still wants to return to power: He would be sure of the support of the United States and the international community and would – if necessary with military support from Venezuela’s President Hugo Chávez – return to office within 72 hours. If this situation is to be resolved, a neutral mediator will be required. But first, we should get the facts strait.