US Senator John KerryWhere does Democratic US Senator John Kerry stand now on the Honduran crisis? Here is what he had to say in a press release on June 26, 2009 (Note that date is TWO DAYS BEFORE Zelaya was ousted.)
06/26/2009
Chairman Kerry's Statement on Honduras Escalating Constitutional Crisis
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee John Kerry (D-MA) today expressed concern about the growing tension in Honduras over an unofficial vote, scheduled for Sunday, intended to build public support for rewriting the Honduran Constitution.
“America values its longstanding partnership with Honduras, but a push to rewrite the constitution over the objections of Honduras's top court, legislature, attorney general, and military is deeply disturbing,” said Chairman Kerry. “The people of Honduras deserve a democratic process that is legal, fair and transparent. I applaud the Organization of American States (OAS), consistent with its commitment to fully respect members’ sovereignty, for calling an emergency meeting to discuss the crisis in Honduras.”
(emphasis mine)
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Unfortunately, at that day-long emergency meeting of the OAS held on Friday, June 26 (videos available at the OAS site here and here), a decision was made by Secretary General Insulza to plan a visit the following week, despite the fact that the election was scheduled for Sunday that weekend and obviously, a visit after the election would be too late.
Several countries expressed concern for preservation of equality of the three powers of state, despite the Honduran delegate's one-sided presentation of the Supreme Court's actions as a "technical coup" against the president.
We all know what happened at the next OAS meetings on June 28 and 30 (videos of those meetings also available at the OAS site), where Honduras was condemned without allowing anyone from Honduras to speak (except Mel Zelaya) or to present the history, the facts or the legal documents.
Interesting that none of the parties remembered their previous concern about the president putting himself above the other powers of the state and the constitution. This is the latest that I could find from Senator Kerry:
Does John Kerry remember his initial concern about the constitution? As Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, surely he has been informed about corruption charges against Mel Zelaya and his crew. Surely he has been informed about the FARC connections of Zelaya supporters and the accusations of narcotrafficking connections of Zelaya. His website seems to be quiet on the issue.
Several countries expressed concern for preservation of equality of the three powers of state, despite the Honduran delegate's one-sided presentation of the Supreme Court's actions as a "technical coup" against the president.
We all know what happened at the next OAS meetings on June 28 and 30 (videos of those meetings also available at the OAS site), where Honduras was condemned without allowing anyone from Honduras to speak (except Mel Zelaya) or to present the history, the facts or the legal documents.
Interesting that none of the parties remembered their previous concern about the president putting himself above the other powers of the state and the constitution. This is the latest that I could find from Senator Kerry:
07/30/2009
Chairman Kerry Statement On The Ongoing Crisis In Honduras
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry released the following statement today in response to yesterday’s developments in the Honduran negotiations.
“I welcome the initiative taken by Roberto Michiletti (sic) yesterday in his phone call to Costa Rican President Oscar Arias,” said Chairman Kerry. Michiletti reportedly expressed his support for the San Jose process and discussed refinements to the San Jose Accord, which calls for President Zelaya’s conditioned return to Honduras. According to Chairman Kerry, “The accord represents the best solution to the ongoing Honduran crisis. Effective verification and implementation of the accord are paramount, and I believe that President Arias, President Zelaya, and Mr. Michiletti and will appoint a well-qualified international envoy toward this end. I deeply appreciate President Oscar Arias’ leadership as the mediator of the dialogue and I commend the Business Council of Latin America on their vital role in the negotiation process.”
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Does John Kerry remember his initial concern about the constitution? As Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, surely he has been informed about corruption charges against Mel Zelaya and his crew. Surely he has been informed about the FARC connections of Zelaya supporters and the accusations of narcotrafficking connections of Zelaya. His website seems to be quiet on the issue.
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