US Terminates $22 Million In Aid To Honduras

nytimes.com:

WASHINGTON �" Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, responding to calls to increase pressure on the de facto Honduras government, announced the termination on Thursday of about $22 million in United States aid that was suspended immediately after President Manuel Zelaya was deposed.

Read the whole story: nytimes.com

Comments

[harriettubman]

11:08 PM on 09/04/2009

And they should do the same to Israel and many other countries. We have a deficit.

[2Bfair]

06:56 PM on 09/04/2009

What happened to Hillary's masterful diplomacy? I thought she met privately with after Manuel Zelaya, in July and then boldly announced that Costa Rican President Oscar Arias would serve as international mediator in the Honduran political crisis. Now she meets again with Zelaya and makes the announcement to cut off aid?

Two months? What happened?

Would President Obama please appoint a special envoy to Honduras? A skilled diplomat and not a wanna be grandstander? Maybe Hillary should stick to the meet and greet and leave careful diplomacy to people who know what they are doing.

[teron678]

07:55 PM on 09/04/2009

You really detest Hillary .. WOW ...

[2Bfair]

02:03 AM on 09/05/2009

No no, I just think it is bad to have an unquaiified person in the SoS position and the eternal Clinton melodrama constantly in the sportlight.

Nothing personal toward Hillary and Bill I would wish them all the happiness in the world in their retirement from public life, as the nation moved forward past the deep divsions of the Bush-Clinton era.

[lbicomber]

10:14 AM on 09/08/2009

She's got to follow orders.

Guess the White House just can't figure out what they want to do .....

.... again.

[GreatNews27]

02:18 PM on 09/04/2009

Yeah, kinda like we did with the Contras? Coming soon the a congressional committee near you:

TALIBONDURAS

[lightningbolt]

11:22 AM on 09/04/2009

Good. The U.S. should not be financing dictatorships.

[Berettasskeeter]

11:44 PM on 09/04/2009

Can you tell us who the dictator of Honduras is? And when did he/she seize power, over the objections of the government?
Semper fi

[apduncan1]

10:28 PM on 09/27/2009

Roberto" Benito Mussolini Wnnabe" Micheletti is the dictator of Honduras; in power by the force of the gun.

[Expatslacker]

10:49 AM on 09/05/2009

There is no "dictatorshp" here in Honduras. The Congress, Supreme court & the Temporay president are running the country just fine. If you read the article closely there is still plenty of aid coming into Honduras & in November there will be an election & Zelaya will return just before it. The US has been very careful NOT to call this a "military" coup thusly they can continue to sent most of their aid. You really need to read some of the Spannish papers & watch TV that shows all the supporters of the government not just the "rioters" that appear in front of the cameras. No blood shed except when mel appeared on the scene.

[apduncan1]

10:30 PM on 09/27/2009

BS.

An elected president forced out of power by a coup and the installation of a tin pot dictator makes a dictatorship.

The USA has not done enough: Freeze the bank accounts Honduras has in US banks. That takes care of business.

[Ira7]

11:08 AM on 09/04/2009

Outrageous decision. Obama--1-termer.

I supported the guy, but after this, no way.

He's proving the neo-cons right, that in every way, he's a total leftist.

[lightningbolt]

11:18 AM on 09/04/2009

What's wrong with being a leftist? Most people like that. He ran on a leftist platform and people voted for him.

[Berettasskeeter]

11:45 PM on 09/04/2009

So you have no problem with all the conservatives who have recognized that, along with a majority of independents, and now want him stopped?!
Semper fi

[sticksnstones]

04:14 PM on 09/04/2009

US law requires the suspension of foreign aid to countries which remove a head of state through extralegal action, such as a coup d'etat.

The president, and the secretary of state ( who serves at the pleasure of the president) have obviously determined that the removal into exile of Zelaya was performed extralegally and such action conformes with even a loose interpretation of what a coup d'etat entails.

It took two months for the administration to take steps which it is legally required to do, as mandated by law as it exists.

This isn't a left or right issue. Ira. It's a legal issue, and has been from the moment Zelaya was forcibly removed from his home and exiled to Costa Rica.

If you have a problem with Obama's decision to follow the law, I'd suggest you contact him.

[Berettasskeeter]

11:46 PM on 09/04/2009

Too bad the president and SecState are not experts on Honduran law, or they may have noticed that it was the Courts and Congress of Honduras that ordered him removed for illegal behavior.
Semper fi

[yankees]

10:18 AM on 09/04/2009

The only explanation, other than siding with his NBF, Chavez is maybe Obama will try the same thing as Zelaya, President for Life.

[Taxi]

09:27 AM on 09/04/2009

The American Honduran Lobby ain't no A.IPAC!

[piul05]

09:13 AM on 09/04/2009

Finally.

[piul05]

09:17 AM on 09/04/2009

But still too little, and a bit late.

[arvay]

07:35 AM on 09/04/2009

Great news.

Finally, the US has taken a stand against the corrupt oligarchies that run many of these nations -- who label every attempt at reform and helping the majority as "communism."

[Julia Bailey]

09:19 AM on 09/04/2009

But the US is helping the guy who wants to become president for life like Castro.

[Ira7]

11:10 AM on 09/04/2009

Never reply to a guy who uses the word "oligarchy."

If you look up the definition, there's no such thing, because one FORM of oligarchy is always replaced by another.

It's an ignorant, leftist slogan--like their political philosophies.

[arvay]

11:54 AM on 09/04/2009

In terms of eliminating the privileged class that's run Venezuela up to now -- Chavez is doing the right thing. He's not perfect, but is moving the country in the right direction -- diverting substantial resources to education and other social improvements.

Castroism will fade away when we stop our idiotic boycott and let new ideas flow unstoppably into Cuba, and stop helping the communists by seeming to step on Cuban sovereignty.

[johnashman]

09:01 PM on 09/07/2009

Ummm, yeah, the Liberal party, Zelaya's party, remains in control. It would be like ejecting Obama for crimes against the constitution, then having Harry Reid take over until elections later in the year.

Even the people no longer care about Zelaya. They may like liberal policies, but they hate dictatorship more than they love socialism.

Only the uninformed and terminally blind Americans are pro-Zelaya.

[pinkyboo]

11:53 PM on 09/03/2009

Amnesty International has documented a range of serious human rights concerns in Honduras since the forced removal of President Zelaya. According to their researchers, protestors have been killed, injured and arrested in clashes with police and military forces. Also, human rights defenders, journalists and female activists have been targeted and are particularly vulnerable to violence.

The U.S. can send a strong message to the international community by insisting that human rights come first in all discussions on Honduras. Therefore, I also ask that you press the international community to do the following:

1) Allow President Zelaya's prompt and safe return to Honduras without conditions, as is his right

2) Take effective steps to immediately stop human rights violations and restore human rights protection to all Hondurans

3) Immediately release any government officials and political activists who may be currently detained and refrain from further arbitrary detentions
part 2

4) Guarantee that political opponents and human rights defenders are able to carry out their legitimate activities without fear of reprisal

5) Guarantee the right to freedom of expression and allow journalists to carry out their legitimate work without fear of reprisal

The U.S. has a chance to help restore democracy to Honduras and to improve the U.S. image in the region by standing firmly for human rights.

Thank you for your time

[Expatslacker]

04:10 PM on 09/04/2009

Show me your proof & the links that back up what you are saying...I am in Nicaragua & those aren;t the reports we are getting from the people in Honduras...Or the Honduran or Nicaraguan news agencies.

[wereeverywhere]

11:29 PM on 09/04/2009

Amnesty International today published a series of exclusive photos and testimonies revealing serious ill-treatment by police and military of peaceful protesters in the capital, Tegucigalpa. The organization warned that beatings and mass arrests are being used as a way of punishing people for voicing their opposition to the military-backed coup d’etat in June. http://www.amnesty.org/en/for-media/press-releases/honduras-photos-and-testimony-protestors-shows-extent-police-violence-20

“The forced removal of President Zelaya places human rights and the rule of law in serious danger,” said Kerrie Howard, Americas Deputy director at Amnesty International.

The organization fears that human rights and political activists who support or are seen to support President Zelaya may be arbitrarily detained in the context of the political turmoil and expressed concerns about their safety. http://www.amnesty.org/en/for-media/press-releases/honduras-human-rights-and-rule-law-serious-risk-20090629

Amnesty International denounced an escalation in human rights abuses in Honduras and urged the security forces to respect the rule of law and human rights when the President returns to Honduras at the weekend.

Recent reports suggest that journalists who have published news stories on the crisis or covering the issue of protests and scores of detentions have been intimidated. Prosecutors have also reported threats on account of their attempts to verify human rights abuses during protests. http://www.amnesty.org/en/for-media/press-releases/honduras-intimidation-media-workers-and-protestors-rising-20090703

[wereeverywhere]

10:48 AM on 09/05/2009

You might want to expand your sources if you aren't getting the news. Honduras has attacked the press that's dared to criticize the coup and its leaders.

august 17, 2009
http://www.rsf.org/spip.php?page=article&id_article=34216
Reporters Without Borders condemns the new wave of violence against the media that took place last week, while Honduras appeared to be further than ever from resolving the crisis resulting from President Manuel Zelaya’s removal in a coup on 28 June.

“The de facto government has again illustrated its concept of press freedom by pitting soldiers and police against news media that are critical of the coup,” Reporters Without Borders said. “The attacks on community and education media are yet another sign of the deterioration in the general press freedom situation since 28 June.”

[johnashman]

10:09 PM on 09/07/2009

Zelaya lost his right when he refused an order of the Supreme Court.

[pinkyboo]

11:53 PM on 09/03/2009

This is Amnesty International's view on the situation - an email to HRC.

Hillary Rodham Clinton (part 1)

Thank you for your efforts to push for human rights in Honduras. I am deeply concerned that the forced removal of President Manuel Zelaya from office and from the country by the military has unleashed widespread unrest and a deepening human rights crisis. Your recent decision to halt additional military assistance is an important step in sending a signal that the crackdown in Honduras must end. But more has to be done.

In your upcoming meetings with President Manuel Zelaya and other officials, I urge you to follow through on the following points:

• Make a concerted effort to prevent the human rights crisis from deteriorating any further. Efforts to seek a peaceful solution to this crisis should be intensified as Honduran citizens are suffering every day

• Demand accountability for the abuses committed by the de facto government, including the death of two peaceful protesters

• Push for El pacto de San José, initiated by Nobel Peace laureate President Oscar Arias, that calls for the restoration of democracy to Honduras

[johnashman]

10:08 PM on 09/07/2009

Democracy didn't go anywhere. The elections that were already scheduled are still on schedule. Zelaya couldn't have legally run in them, so all will resume to normal. There is no coup, otherwise, why would all of congress and the supreme court, including his own party agree to it? Zelaya is alone in his own country.

[wereeverywhere]

10:34 PM on 09/07/2009

There is no coup. There is no crisis. There is no stifling of free speech and assembly. There's only the world wide socialist Conspiracy.

[RevBookburn]

11:49 PM on 09/03/2009

Great news. All aid should be terminated and the bloody coup leaders must never be leglitimized. Rev. Bookburn - Radio Volta

[Expatslacker]

04:12 PM on 09/04/2009

The only blood spilled here was when Zelaya decided to return when he had been advised by everyone including Hillary NOT to return. Two dead, show me where the numbers are higher then that.

[sticksnstones]

08:50 PM on 09/04/2009

ISIS OBED MURILLO MENCIAS

GABRIEL FINO NORIEGA

RAMON GARCIA

ROGER IVAN BADOS

VICKY CASTILLO

ANASTASIO BARRERA ( DISAPPEARED )

MANUEL SEVILLA (DISAPPEARED )

There are more. However I'll use just one source : International Observation Mission for the Human Rights Situation in Honduras Preliminary Report published August 6, 2009.

Thousands of ongoing illegal detentions.

[johnashman]

10:06 PM on 09/07/2009

This is only going to insure that Obama is terminated from office in 2012. And a whole lot more Democrats in 2010. Freedom and democracy lovers support Honduras. Only socialist totalitarians would support Zelaya.

[petera63]

11:41 PM on 09/03/2009

Shame! This decision is a pure disgrace.

[writerjohnny]

08:21 AM on 09/04/2009

An impure disgrace would be way more disgraceful.

[GhiaccioPronto]

09:54 PM on 09/03/2009

When an elected civilian can fire General Velasquez, (as per the constitution, which obviously no one cares about) instead of ending up on the wrong end of a gun, then Honduras can tell the world about the rule of law.

The constitution confers solely on the president the power to appoint or fire the head of the Army, not the other way around (article 280) ARTICLE 5 provides for an INITIATIVE of 6% of the electorate to request that the congress place before the people a referendum, So voting on a poll to request a referendum isn't an illegal anti-democratic exercise under the Honduran constitution ARTICLE 5 also states; The government must be based on the principle of participatory democracy which is at the heart of national integration, which involves participation of all political sectors in government to ensure and enhance the progress of Honduras based on political stability and national reconciliation. In order to strengthen and institute participatory democracy the referendum and the plebiscite operate as a mechanism for consulting the public on issues of fundamental importance in national life.

The United States, has come up short in failing to recognize the military directed nature of the coup, and the ex-post facto rulings of the Court under the orders of the Generalissimo.

[GrahamInCanada]

10:03 PM on 09/03/2009

Exactly.

[alysheba 3]

01:39 AM on 09/04/2009

Where does the Supreme Court state that is why the Order was given to remove Zelaya? The order states that attempted to violate 2 Articles of their Constitution.

[JerryLevy]

09:39 PM on 09/03/2009

Lets see, we give over a billion in aid to the Palestinians who squander it, steal it, buy weapons with it and all celebrate in the streets when the 9/11 attacks occurred. However, a democratic, non-violent ally who desperately needs our aid has a president that violates the constitution of his country and the supreme court orders the military to depose him. When he is deposed with the support of the majority of the people, we cut off aid. Shame on Obama and shame on our country.

[GrahamInCanada]

10:01 PM on 09/03/2009

The democratic, non-violent ally of the United States is the democratically elected President of Honduras.

That ally desperately needs the assistance of the United States to resist an unconstitutional military coup actually defined as treason in the Constitution of Honduras, Article 2. That military coup, if allowed to stand, has the potential not only to destroy the hopes and future of the people of Honduras, but to re-ignite the fires of totalitarianism in a region just beginning to limp back to democracy after decades of fire.

The people are defined as sovereign in that Constitution, and they elected the President, not the coup regime. The coup regime lacks any valid support from the people, who elected the President.

Shame on you.

[Berettasskeeter]

11:56 PM on 09/04/2009

You're late! That danger was averted when the Honduran Congress and Supreme Court ordered the removal of said dictator.
Semper fi

[johnashman]

09:58 PM on 09/07/2009

You wouldn't know a legal removal of a politician if it hit you upside the head.

Call us after reading the Honduran Constitution.

Democracy ends the day of the election. After that, it's tyranny until the next election. The court acted to preserve democracy and the next election.

[writerjohnny]

08:37 AM on 09/04/2009

Let's see, so hard to read yet so easy to refute. Since the war in 1967 the US has sent approximately 800 million in aid to the Palestinian people of which ZERO was in military form. This includes the most recent 200 million sent in July and of that 800 million approximately 20% went through the Red Cross. There is another 700 million promised over the next 5 years but when contrasted with the 146 BILLION sent to Israel over that same period with the the lion's share in military support the paltry nature of this aid is exposed. More to the point of the millions of Palestinians living in the region we saw maybe hundreds celebrating 9/11 while we heard from many more who criticized the action. Even more to the point please provide a link to any actual proof of squandering, stealing and weapons purchasing with ANY of that money. And I mean other than speculation by Zionist apologists.

[JerryLevy]

11:41 AM on 09/04/2009

So rambling but so easy to refute. On 9/11 there were massive Palestinian celebrations on the street and you can access the films of it (probably on you tube). It involved thousand of Palestinians handing out candy, blowing horns, holding signs. Then when the world media started reporting the hate filled festivities, Yassir Arafat ordered his enforcers out on the street to stop the celebration. The billions in aid from the west, especially since the 1993 Oslo Accords were signed went directly to swiss bank accounts of the Palestinian elite. In fact, may Palestinians in the West Bank called the multi million dollar villas built by Arafat's rulers as the "Tunisian's Palaces." The UN money has never been accounted for either. Maybe if the Arabs would stop attacking Israel, we could stop giving Israel ANY aid. You can blame Iran, the Palestinians and the surrounding Arab dictators for causing the U.S. to aid Israel.