[governance] Regarding Honduras - The other side of the story!

[Karl E. Peters]

All international observers,
     Here below, please find a position paper in both Spanish and
English from the Honduran people in explanation of what has transpired
there. It was sent to me yesterday in hopes I could give it
international exposure.
     Please read the statement below for a perspective missed by the
mainstream media, the truth. If you do not read Spanish, just skip down
a little and read the English translation.  THANK YOU!!!

SPANISH

> Pronunciamiento Civico a la Comunidad Internacional
> Pronunciamiento cívico a la comunidad internacional en general y a los cristianos en particular
> Como es sabido, al igual que la mayoría de sus vecinos latinoamericanos, Honduras sufre de grave subdesarrollo en lo económico, social, educativo, cultural y político. No obstante, en los últimos días este pequeño y desfavorecido país ha demostrado increíble fortaleza digna de gran elogio.
> En un hecho sin precedentes, el Congreso Nacional, el Tribunal Supremo, el Fiscal General, el Procurador General de la República, y la Comisión Nacional de Derechos Humanos por unanimidad actuaron en defensa de la Constitución de la República en contra de una amenaza real y presente.
> Como resultado de su negativa a acatar las normas y reglamentos establecidos en la Constitución, Manuel Zelaya fue legalmente removido como Presidente de la República de Honduras el 28 de junio de 2009.
> La remoción del Presidente Manuel Zelaya no puede ser llamada “golpe de Estado” pues no cumple con dos características fundamentales de este fenómeno político: La primera característica es la toma del poder por
> los militares y la segunda, la ruptura del imperio de la ley. Las medidas adoptadas por las Fuerzas Armadas de Honduras se basan en una orden judicial y su finalidad era restablecer el imperio de la ley, que estaba siendo violado constantemente por el Ex-Presidente Zelaya. Incluso las iglesias católica y evangélica en vano instaron previamente al ex Presidente Zelaya a caminar en el camino de la razón y que desistiera de sus actividades ilegales. Después de la intervención de las Fuerzas Armadas, la Constitución sigue en vigor y se respeta plenamente por la sucesión del poder establecido por la Carta Magna, que nombró a un nuevo Presidente Constitucional.
> Lamentablemente, este valiente acto de los organismos gubernamentales, en defensa de la verdadera democracia y realizado en un espíritu de unidad y el patriotismo, no ha sido bien recibido por la comunidad internacional. Todo lo contrario es cierto. La OEA, las Naciones Unidas e incluso los Estados Unidos han presionado a esta pequeña nación hasta el punto de amenazar con sanciones y con aislamiento total. Hasta el momento de escribir esto, Honduras ha sido categóricamente denunciada por ellos sin el beneficio de una investigación objetiva de los acontecimientos que finalmente condujeron a sus ciudadanos a deponer a su Presidente.
> Hay días difíciles por delante para los hondureños; días cuando su verdadera convicción sobre la democracia estará a prueba. Muchos comienzan a dudar de que se ha hecho lo
>  correcto. Otros se inclinarán ante la terrible presión de la comunidad internacional. Por último, otros se verán sacudidos por algún ataque en contra de la convicción moral de su decisión. Quién sabe si tal vez Chávez cumplirá su amenaza de invadir el país. ¡Pocos eran conscientes hasta ahora de cuán lejos han llegado los tentáculos del nuevo totalitarismo del siglo 21!
> Dios, que quita y pone reyes, no ignora el dilema que enfrenta Honduras. Él está allí, esperando que Su pueblo le clame con fe intensa y sincera. Oremos para que las nuevas autoridades de Honduras hallen gracia ante el resto de la comunidad internacional. Oremos que este nuevo gobierno se mantenga firme en su determinación de completar lo que ha comenzado; y oremos que la familia hondureña permanezca unida.
> Nosotros como pueblo cristiano estamos pidiendo a la OEA y a la ONU que escuchen a nuestro Congreso, nuestra Corte Suprema de Justicia, nuestro nuevo Presidente, nuestras organizaciones civiles, y a nuestras Iglesias, a fin de comprender mejor lo que está sucediendo en Honduras, antes de pasar juicio sobre los acontecimientos de este último fin de semana.

____________________________________________________________

ENGLISH

CITIZEN’S POSITION STATEMENT – www.enpazylibertad.org
     Like most of her Latin American neighbors, Honduras suffers from
severe underdevelopment in the economic, social, educational, cultural,
and political arenas. Notwithstanding, in recent days this small and
disadvantaged country has shown incredible fortitude worthy of great
praise.
     In an unprecedented event, the National Congress, the Supreme
Court, the Attorney General, the Solicitor General’s office, and the
National Commission on Human Rights unanimously acted in defense of the
Constitution of the Republic against a real and present threat.
     As a result of his refusal to abide by the rules and regulations as
set forth in the Constitution, Manuel Zelaya was legally removed as
President of the Republic of Honduras on June 28, 2009.
     The removal of President Manuel Zelaya cannot be called as a
“coup d’état,” because it does not comply with two fundamental
characteristics of this political phenomenon: The first characteristic
is the seizure of power by the military and the second the breakdown of
rule of law. The action taken by the Armed Forces of Honduras was based
on a court order and its purpose was to restore the rule of law, which
was being consistently violated by the President Zelaya. Even the
Catholic and Evangelical churches previously urged former President
Zelaya to walk on the path of reason and to desist from his illegal
activities to no avail. After the intervention of the Armed Forces, the
Constitution is still in force and is being fully respected by the
succession of power established by the Magna Carta, which appointed a
new Constitutional President.
     Unfortunately, this courageous act by governmental agencies, in
defense of true democracy and done in a spirit of unity and
patriotism,20has not been well received by the international
community.  Quite the opposite is true.  The OAS, the UN and even the
United States have pressured this small nation to the point of
threatening sanctions and total isolation. Up to the time of this
writing, Honduras has been categorically denounced by them without the
benefit of an objective investigation of the events that ultimately led
to its citizens deposing its President.
     There are tough days ahead for Hondurans; days where their true
convictions on democracy will be sorely tried.  Many will begin to
doubt that the right thing has been done; others will bow before the
terrible pressure of the International community.  Still others will be
shaken by the attack against the moral conviction of their decision. 
Who knows, maybe Chavez will make good on his threat to invade the
country?  Few were aware until now of how pervasive are the tentacles
of the New Totalitarianism in the 21st century!
     God, who raises and casts down kings, is not unaware of the dilemma
facing Honduras.  He is there, waiting for His people to cry out to him
with intense, sincere faith.  Let us pray that the new authorities in
Honduras find grace before the rest of the world community, that they
remain firm in their resolve to complete what they have started and for
the Honduran family to remain united.
     We are praying, but we also ask that you share this letter with as
many people possible and advocate for our nation Honduras before your
church congregation, your local radio and news Media, your local Chamber
of Commerce, with your State Governor, your State Representative, your
State Senator, and your President.
     We as a people are asking that OAS and the UN listen to our
Congress, our Supreme Court, our new President, our civic organizations,
and our Churches in order to better understand what is happening in
Honduras before passing judgment on the events of this last weekend.


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