Patterico's Pontifications

7/4/2009

Honduras Quits OAS

Filed under: General,International — DRJ @ 12:25 pm



[Guest post by DRJ]

The Miami Herald reports Honduras will withdraw from the Organization of American States, claiming the OAS is taking action that threatens Honduras’ sovereignty:

“[A]cting President Roberto Micheletti and vice chancellor Martha Lorena de Casco announced Honduras planned to withdraw from the region’s key diplomatic organization. The move preempts an OAS General Assembly meeting scheduled for Saturday, where Honduras was widely expected to be suspended from the group for overthrowing a democratically elected leader.

The OAS “tried to impose unilateral solutions. The government of Honduras repudiates such attempts to impose unilateral solutions and reaffirms its sovereignty,” de Casco said in a nationwide address. “The OAS is a political organizatioon, not a court of law. … There is no institutional crisis here.”

The BBC reports the Honduran government will arrest Zelaya if he returns and notes that the government has the full support of the Honduran Congress, courts, and “a substantial proportion of the population.” However, the government may agree to move the next elections forward from the scheduled date of November 29, 2009.

— DRJ

44 Responses to “Honduras Quits OAS”

  1. I believe the OAS does have a policy of noninterference so this sorta makes sense.

    daleyrocks (718861)

  2. Good for Honduras ! I need to find some Honduras exports to buy just as I am looking for Israeli couscous in Trader Joes as the radical left is threatening the chain trying to force them to reject Israeli exports. This is a war on civilization by the nihilist left.

    Mike K (2cf494)

  3. Good idea, Mike K. Please let me know what you find. I want to buy from Honduras, too.

    DRJ (cdbef5)

  4. What I want to import from Honduras is the idea of deposing a want to be Marxist President who is trying to impose socialist principles on a formerly free nation. There is no constitutional authorization for the nationalization of industry or banking. If the law says you cannot fire someone and you do, you broke the law. Pay the price. Impeach.

    Zelsdorf Ragshaft III (283466)

  5. Why is Obama meddling in the domestic politics of an ally when he won’t condemn the murderous thugs of Terhan.

    Thomas Jackson (8ffd46)

  6. Groucho Marx once said he’d never want to belong to a club that would accept him as a member. I think Honduras should keep that in mind, happily and proudly, when it comes to the OAS. An organization full of ass-backwards leftwingers who think good is bad, bad is good, up is down, down is up, and that when it comes to humaneness and compassion, their “shit don’t stink.”

    chinadaily.com, June 2009:

    The Organization of American States (OAS) Wednesday unanimously voted in favor of revoking Cuba’s exclusion from the organization at the 39th OAS general assembly in the Honduran city of San Pedro Sula.

    According to information reaching here, many Latin American countries celebrated the OAS resolution and regarded it as historic.

    At the start of the meeting’s plenary session, Honduran Foreign Minister Patricia Rodas said that “it is resolved that resolution six, adopted on January 31, 1962, at the eighth Foreign Ministers Consultative Meeting, which excluded the Cuban government from participation in the Inter-American system is ruled null and void for the OAS.”

    In his address to the assembly, Honduran President Jose Manuel Zelaya said “we are all completely in agreement. The cold war has ended here in San Pedro Sula.”

    Debate on the text had been so heated that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton walked out of the 10-hour meeting on Tuesday. However, in early hours of Wednesday, her deputy Thomas A. Shannon, assistant secretary of state for western hemisphere affairs, approved the resolution unchanged.

    Shannon told the media on Wednesday that “we have eliminated one obstacle to Cuba’s reintegration to the OAS, and we have established a compromise with Cuba, a path toward the future based on OAS principles, values and practices.”

    Chilean Foreign Minister Mariano Fernandez said that “it is a truly historic moment for the OAS. As it is known, Chile did not approve the sanction in 1962 and in that sense, our country celebrates the lifting of it.”

    Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega also said on Wednesday that “we are not making it a favor, because Cuba is not interested on re-entering the OAS, Cuba has fought a battle, a heroic one for 50 years, facing many aggressions from the United States, that is why it deserves our recognition.”

    Mark (411533)

  7. Way to go Honduras!, someone finally willing to tell Obama to STFU.

    Chris falcone (ff7bfe)

  8. “Why is Obama meddling in the domestic politics of an ally when he won’t condemn the murderous thugs of Terhan.”

    There’s this old thing called the Monroe doctrine that ought to help you understand our relations with latin, specially central, america.

    imdw (b4c7d5)

  9. For the historically challenged (imdw), it should be noted that the Monroe Doctrine is directed at extra-continental interference into the affairs of the America’s.
    In other words, it said to the European Powers:
    Hands Off – We’ll settle things among ourselves!

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  10. It’s wonderful to see people with some backbone standing up for what’s right, and telling the “international community” where it can shove it.

    Daryl Herbert (a32d30)

  11. Gee, thanks for your awesome input, Obama, but here’s a big middle finger for you. Happy Independence Day, you’ve just been schooled in what a democratic republic is supposed to act like.

    Dmac (f7884d)

  12. “For the historically challenged (imdw), it should be noted that the Monroe Doctrine is directed at extra-continental interference into the affairs of the America’s.”

    The idea is that you start there and move on to the roosevelt corollary, if you want it explicit. That’s if you’re not satisfied that the monroe doctrine contained within it an implicit idea that it was our turf, not theirs. In a more general sense, it and its historical application helps to explain why we’re going to approach honduras differently than iran.

    imdw (102505)

  13. Facts mean nothing to imdw.

    daleyrocks (718861)

  14. imdw,

    Wasn’t the goal of the Monroe Doctrine to stop European countries from interfering with, controlling or colonizing fledgling democracies in the Americas? How does Obama’s or Hugo Chavez’s efforts to undermine Honduras’ democracy help fulfill that goal?

    DRJ (cdbef5)

  15. There’s this old thing called the Monroe doctrine

    But there’s also the Obama Doctrine, if you will, which means it’s appropriate and consistent if the current occupant of the White House stops flapping his gums and scolding countries, certainly — most certainly — if they’re like Honduras or Israel. Therefore, the acronym of the day that fits Obama to a “T” is: STFU!

    On the promotion of democracy, Obama acknowledged the controversy of the U.S. role in Iraq. “Let me be clear,” he said. “No system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any other.”

    In a contrast in tone from Bush administration officials, Obama said: “America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election.

    Mark (411533)

  16. From Article 1 of the OAS Charter:

    “The Organization of American States has no powers other than those expressly conferred upon it by this Charter, none of whose provisions authorizes it to intervene in matters that are within the internal jurisdiction of the Member States.”

    daleyrocks (718861)

  17. In a more general sense, it and its historical application helps to explain why we’re going to approach honduras differently than iran

    It actually does nothing of the sort, since it talks about countries outside the region (anyone not on the North or South American continent) interfering in Latin America, and says absolutely nothing about OUR dealings with the rest of the world.

    And as an aside, you’re agreement with President Obama’s handling of the Honduras situation is in direct conflict with your support of President Obama’s handling of Iran. On one hand you have Obama ignoring Honduran laws, and demanding that a man who violated the Constitution be re-instated while zero violence of any kind takes place.

    On the other hand you have Obama allowing the brutal slaughter of people who assemble peaceably, calling it an “internal issue”.

    Of the two, which do you think should have the US making demands, and which should see us using a Hands Off approach?

    No, wait. Don’t answer that one either. I keep forgetting that your side thinks Immadinnerjacket is a decent enough guy.

    Scott Jacobs (d027b8)

  18. Comment by daleyrocks — 7/4/2009 @ 2:22 pm

    Now daley, you know those fact thingies just give imdw a head-ache.

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  19. “On the other hand you have Obama allowing the brutal slaughter of people who assemble peaceably, calling it an “internal issue”.”

    Allowing? maybe he should like, prohibit it or something? Please.

    imdw (41b4a1)

  20. And remember, any precedent that the OAS sets in regards to overruling Honduran sovereignty can be used to overrule US sovereignty. Yes, we are a member.

    If Zaleya had managed to get his sham “non-binding” referendum vote, a vote of OAS nations would have legitimized his new term based on that referendum. The OAS already believes that they are the final arbiter of the Honduran Constitution so they also believe they are for the US Constitution.

    They, or someone at the OAS, already said today that Honduras can’t withdraw because their government isn’t legitmate. I don’t think they even voted on that but someone there felt they could make that authoritative statement today. I guess this person, or a majority vote of OAS nations, can pronounce the US government illegitimate anytime they please.

    If a non-socialist is ever elected POTUS, the OAS will pass a majority vote not to recognize that POTUS as the leader. There is no reason they wouldn’t do that, it’s a majority Marxist bloc.

    jcurtis (14bf32)

  21. Manuel Zelaya ought to consider himself lucky: most presidents deposed by a coup don’t find themselves stuffed into a plane and sent abroad, most find themselves stuffed into a box and sent underground.

    Had President Zelaya been a right-wing dictator, our friends on the left would be celebrating his being deposed from power.

    The realistic Dana (474dfc)

  22. Allowing? maybe he should like, prohibit it or something? Please.

    OK, then how about tacit support for it instead? The man took almost a farking week before he finally issued a tepid and incredibly wussy “deeply concerned” statement. Oooh, now that’s gonna leave a mark!

    By taking forever and a day to say what was obvious to the rest of the free world says everything about his fecklessness, and nothing about the US population’s deep feelings regarding the well – being and support of the Iranian protestors.

    Dmac (f7884d)

  23. Obama’s the one who said his talking was his best tool for Iran. Scoffing that it takes more is something the right did, and the left swore the right was wrong to scoff at. Now, we know Obama’s words actually encourage evil.

    He was dead wrong and deserves blame for the dead bodies he is partly responsible for.

    Juan (86e69a)

  24. its historical application helps to explain why we’re going to approach honduras differently than iran.

    Comment by imdw

    The ignorance and foolishness here is simply staggering. No one but an Obama supporter could be this ignorant.

    Mike K (2cf494)

  25. Gotta love the smart diplomacy by Obama.

    Pat (36b3ae)

  26. I need to find some Honduras exports to buy

    Honduran cigars are reputed to be quite nice.

    http://cigarfan.wordpress.com/cigar-country-honduras/

    HappyFourth (211bbb)

  27. Obama is a socialist who supports dictators. His actions prove it. His statements regarding ‘intervention’, ‘meddling’ and ‘imposing governance’ contradict his actions and only make sense if aligned with dictatorial and anti-democratic outcomes.

    MikeK – It isn’t ignorance or foolishness. It’s a cult, and the cult followers serve their leader Obama. Like all cults of personality (see the Heaven’s Gate Cult), they will choose their own and everyone else’s destruction rather than face the reality of their obsession. All communications on their part are in support of Obama, and are unrelated to either Obama’s actions or the outcome of said actions.

    Apogee (e2dc9b)

  28. If a non-socialist is ever elected POTUS, the OAS will pass a majority vote not to recognize that POTUS as the leader. There is no reason they wouldn’t do that, it’s a majority Marxist bloc.

    The only concern that they might have is what awaits them behind every blade of grass.

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  29. Comment by imdw

    The idea is that you start there and move on to the roosevelt corollary

    Now we have moved on to the Obama corrolary: Cuba and Ugo Chavez, Si; Honduras, No.

    Stu707 (471645)

  30. As an american missionary here in Honduras, I have seen the effects that former president Zelaya has had on the economy first hand and they were not positive. What the congress and supreme court did was legal according to their constitution. Zelaya did buy support by giving money to the poor, I was there. He did give raises to teachers, etc. but only if they supported his plans. If you did not support his plans there were real consequences. Since we are a legal non-profit religious organization in Honduras, we are considered “tax-free” even here. Our shipping containers of relief food were often “taxed” with new made up fees because “the new president’s import list says these food items don’t qualify as tax exempt.” Why, we would not bow to customs request to leave the items they wanted and they said that was the reason almost flauntingly. We are talking near $5000 of money (we had to beg american people for) which we had to pay because it was the Christmas container. This container of Christmas food and kitchen items had 60% of it’s contents missing, including 300 christmas gift shoeboxes for the “extermely poor” mountain childen. Talk about corrupt.

    Lisa ritchie (5961f8)

  31. Oops sorry. Blog link fixed.

    Lisa Ritchie (5961f8)

  32. Ok you can tell I am not computer savvy.
    childrenslighthouse.blogspot.com

    Lisa Ritchie (5961f8)

  33. Punitive, baseless punishments meted out by way of abuse of authority?

    Sounds about right for a buddy of Hugo’s…

    And Obama, frankly…

    Scott Jacobs (d027b8)

  34. I have seen the effects that former president Zelaya has had on the economy first hand and they were not positive…This container of Christmas food and kitchen items had 60% of it’s contents missing, including 300 christmas gift shoeboxes for the “extermely poor” mountain childen. Talk about corrupt.

    Obama supports this scumbag Zelaya, who steals Christmas gifts from poor children.

    Obama wants Zelaya reinstated, to continue this behavior. Obama supports these things.

    Apogee (e2dc9b)

  35. I dunno if Obama knew about the whole Christmas thing exactly, but I’m starting to lose the ability to give the benefit of the doubt regarding it…

    Scott Jacobs (d027b8)

  36. Obama likes his bear-daddies big, beefy and rough, and Ahmadijenad, Chavez and Zelaya apparently fit that bill.

    nk (e98769)

  37. This container of Christmas food and kitchen items had 60% of it’s contents missing, including 300 christmas gift shoeboxes for the “extermely poor” mountain childen.

    Somehow appropriate when the cast of players — stretching from Zelaya to Obama to the OAS — is emblematic of flaky, ass-backwards and ultimately anything-but-generous leftists.

    I’ve read through the years of a lot of corruption and theft also being aimed at humanitarian gestures taking place in socialist countries in parts of the world like Africa.

    Mark (411533)

  38. a Dummy Guide to Honduras’ removal of Zelaya
    http://feedproxy.google.com/HondurasNews

    Lisa Ritchie (5961f8)

  39. Most people in Honduras doesn´t want Zelaya returning. I was surprised about U. S. goverment reaction that support a man who is a criminal and want that our country become a Hugo Chávez colony.

    Maricela Mondragón (2085d4)

  40. Zelaya has no more use to Chavez. He’s not very popular at all, and his actions are only making most Hondurans hate him even more.

    But if he was to be assassinated by Honduras, he would become a martyr. In other words, Chavez wins BIG if the plane crashes and Honduras takes the blame.

    The other presidents who would accompany Zelaya have backed out. They weren’t Chavez cronies–which means Chavez would have no qualms about killing them, too. Maybe they have some common sense, after all.

    Daryl Herbert (a32d30)

  41. It’s sickening that the OAS voted to expel Honduras at a meeting held in Washington DC, no less. But in light of Obama being in the general vicinity, either at the White House or Camp David, makes the OAS’s gathering therefore both appropriate and even more disgusting.

    I’ve said on occasion that the current occupant of the White House would make the US the biggest Banana Republic in the world, but it was expressed with as much flippancy as conviction. But in light of the story of Zelaya and Honduras — and Obama — I realize that applying the label of “Banana Republic” to the US really is less pure snark than it was before.

    Mark (411533)

  42. Comment by Maricela Mondragón — 7/5/2009 @ 11:05 am

    No offense, but really? It surprised you?

    Obama wanting more places like Hugoland surprised you?

    Seriously, was I the only person who paid attention during the election?

    Scott Jacobs (d027b8)


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