Is the US hiding Zelaya in Honduras?

OK, maybe it is coincidence, but the Wall Street Journal ran an editorial this morning today criticizing Hillary for her actions on Honduras, and cited a Congressional Research Office report that said the Hondurans did act constitutionally in ousting Zelaya. (It was posted here in Headlines.)

And then this happens by afternoon.

First question at State press briefing, “What about that WSJ editorial and the Congressional Research study?”

Wethal on September 21, 2009 at 3:47 PM

Ever since Manuel Zelaya was removed from the Honduran presidency by that country’s Supreme Court and Congress on June 28 for violations of the constitution, the Obama administration has insisted, without any legal basis, that the incident amounts to a “coup d’état” and must be reversed. President Obama has dealt harshly with Honduras, and Americans have been asked to trust their president’s proclamations.

Now a report filed at the Library of Congress by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) provides what the administration has not offered, a serious legal review of the facts. “Available sources indicate that the judicial and legislative branches applied constitutional and statutory law in the case against President Zelaya in a manner that was judged by the Honduran authorities from both branches of the government to be in accordance with the Honduran legal system,” writes CRS senior foreign law specialist Norma C. Gutierrez in her report.

Do the facts matter? Fat chance. The administration is standing by its “coup” charge and 10 days ago, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton went so far as to sanction the country’s independent judiciary. The U.S. won’t say why, but its clear the court’s sin is rejecting a U.S.-backed proposal to restore Mr. Zelaya to power.

WSJ

Wethal on September 21, 2009 at 3:49 PM

The Honduran coup, while arguable legal, was certainly not advisable and acceptance of it would send the message that the U.S. supports summary justice meted out by political opponents with military support.
Bleeds Blue

It was entirely “summary” justice. Zelaya has been told he can come back to stand trial and dispute the charges agaist him.

Wethal on September 21, 2009 at 3:52 PM

The Honduran coup, while arguable legal, was certainly not advisable and acceptance of it would send the message that the U.S. supports summary justice meted out by political opponents with military support.
Bleeds Blue

It was NOT entirely “summary” justice. Zelaya has been told he can come back to stand trial and dispute the charges against him.

Wethal on September 21, 2009 at 3:52 PM

Forgot the most important word.

Wethal on September 21, 2009 at 3:59 PM

Reuters is reporting Zelaya is in the Brazilian embassy in Honduras.

Wethal on September 21, 2009 at 4:02 PM

TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) – Ousted President Manuel Zelaya returned to Honduras on Monday almost three months after he was toppled in a coup, and took refuge in the Brazilian embassy in the capital to avoid arrest.

Reuters photographer Edgar Garrido saw Zelaya with aides and his wife in the embassy, and the leftist president gave media interviews from inside the building.

Zelaya’s ouster on June 28 in a dispute over presidential term limits plunged Honduras into its worst political crisis in decades, and was criticized by U.S. President Barack Obama, the European Union and Latin American governments.

His return raises the stakes for the conservative de facto government, which was installed after the coup and which has defied international pressure to let Zelaya return.

De facto ruler Roberto Micheletti wants Zelaya, an ally of Venezuela’s socialist President Hugo Chavez, arrested.

“I am here in Tegucigalpa. I am here for the restoration of democracy, to call for dialogue.” Zelaya told Honduran television. He told the Venezuelan-run television network Telesur he was fulfilling the will of the people who wanted him returned to power.

Between 3,000 and 4,000 Zelaya supporters gathered outside the main U.N. building in the capital shouting “Yes, we did it!”

Soldiers toppled Zelaya and sent him into exile after he upset conservative opponents, who accused him of wanting to change the constitution to allow presidents to seek re-election. Zelaya, who was due to leave office in January after elections in November, has denied he was seeking to extend his time in power.

The United States confirmed Zelaya was back in Honduras, one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere and a staunch U.S. ally during Cold War conflicts in Central America.

“At this point, all I can say is reiterate our almost daily call on both sides to exercise restraint and refrain from … any activities that could provoke violence, ” said State Department spokesman Ian Kelly.

Washington has pushed for Zelaya’s return but Latin American left-wing governments have accused the Obama administration of not being critical enough of the coup.

In New York, Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim said he was hopeful Zelaya’s return could start a new stage in negotiations to end the Honduran crisis.

The head of the Organization of American States, Jose Miguel Insulza, said Honduras’ de facto rulers “should be responsible for the safety of President Zelaya and the Brazilian Embassy.”

Honduras is a major coffee producer but exports have not been affected by the crisis.

Reuters

Wethal on September 21, 2009 at 4:11 PM