Today is the deadline set by the Organization of American States for President Manuel Zelaya's return to Honduras, after having been deported last week by the military. If he does not return, the impact of international reactions will begin to be felt by the country.
This difficult situation was brought about by current Honduran authorities who were incapable of following a constitutional process to deal with Zelaya’s intention to extend his presidency. Exiling Zeyala to Costa Rica might have seemed practical, but it rode roughshod over citizens who voted for him and who have the right to expect the elected president to finish his term. At the least, if he was to be removed from office, they have the right to an open and transparent process with evidence presented.
This isn’t an issue of whether Zelaya is good or bad, nor the influence exerted by Venezuela's Chávez. In a democracy the means is just as important as the ends in establishing the legitimacy of the outcome.
In Honduras today basic freedoms have been suspended, the media have been censored, and people opposed to the coup have been arrested. Such actions are a result of the military coup, which is illegal regardless of its limited support. The inauguration of Ricardo Micheletti as provisional president does nothing to erase what was done and its consequences.
The present Honduran government, by its precipitous and antidemocratic actions, is now in a mess with no few ways to extricate itself with dignity. In its desire to remove Zelaya center stage, it managed instead to elevate him into an icon of democracy in the eyes of the world.
Negotiations are needed to guarantee the safe return of Zelaya to the presidency and to provide an exit for the military, which executed the coup, and the civilian authorities who supported it. Divisions in Honduras are an inescapable reality; peaceful coexistence of differences is the price for democracy, even in situations like this.
Today is the deadline set by the Organization of American States for President Manuel Zelaya's return to Honduras, after having been deported last week by the military. If he does not return, the impact of international reactions will begin to be felt by the country.
This difficult situation was brought about by current Honduran authorities who were incapable of following a constitutional process to deal with Zelaya’s intention to extend his presidency. Exiling Zeyala to Costa Rica might have seemed practical, but it rode roughshod over citizens who voted for him and who have the right to expect the elected president to finish his term. At the least, if he was to be removed from office, they have the right to an open and transparent process with evidence presented.
This isn’t an issue of whether Zelaya is good or bad, nor the influence exerted by Venezuela's Chávez. In a democracy the means is just as important as the ends in establishing the legitimacy of the outcome.
In Honduras today basic freedoms have been suspended, the media have been censored, and people opposed to the coup have been arrested. Such actions are a result of the military coup, which is illegal regardless of its limited support. The inauguration of Ricardo Micheletti as provisional president does nothing to erase what was done and its consequences.
The present Honduran government, by its precipitous and antidemocratic actions, is now in a mess with no few ways to extricate itself with dignity. In its desire to remove Zelaya center stage, it managed instead to elevate him into an icon of democracy in the eyes of the world.
