Yeah, that looks reeeally democratic
Heavy military presence in Honduras after coup
(CNN)-- Honduras remained calm but tense Monday as military troops who removed President Jose Manuel Zelaya a day earlier ringed the presidential palace and demonstrations broke out nearby.
The Telesur TV network showed images of troops, tanks and other military assets deployed around the presidential grounds.
The station, a conglomerate formed by several Latin American countries and partially funded by the pro-Zelaya Venezuelan government, reported that the armed forces had set up roadblocks on major highways to inspect passengers on buses and trucks making their way to Tegucigalpa, the capital.
The new government declared an indefinite curfew and shut down media sources.
Zelaya supporters have called for a general strike, the station said.
CNN en Español correspondent Krupskaia Alis, who witnessed Monday's protests, said the demonstrators numbered in the hundreds.
Telesur showed images of a handful of masked protesters setting up a makeshift roadblock, but there were no visible confrontations.
The military deposed Zelaya early Sunday and flew him to Costa Rica. Roberto Micheletti, president of the Congress, was named provisional president.
Zelaya had been at odds with the other branches of government over a referendum he wanted to hold Sunday. The nation's Supreme Court had ruled the referendum was illegal, and Congress had voted not to hold it.
Zelaya disregarded those actions and vowed to hold the vote anyway.
The head of the Organization of American States condemned the coup, and the U.N. General Assembly held a session Monday to discuss the crisis.
"My country has lost its democratic form of government," said Jorge Arturo Reina, Honduras' ambassador to the United Nations.
OAS Secretary-General Jose Miguel Insulza said nations must maintain pressure on Honduras.
"We should not accept that government under any circumstances," Insulza said in an interview on Telesur.
The new government must be isolated diplomatically and politically, Insulza said.
"Invade Honduras? No. That's not going to occur," he said. But "yesterday was a bad day for democracy."
SOURCE FOR MORE
Clinton says Honduras has "evolved into a coup"
WASHINGTON-Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday the United States believes the unrest in Honduras "has evolved into a coup," but the U.S. is not demanding that deposed President Manuel Zelaya be restored to office.
She also said the military coup has not triggered an automatic cutoff of U.S. aid to Honduras.
Clinton told reporters at the State Department that a delegation from the Organization of American States will be heading to Honduras as early as Tuesday "to begin working with the parties" on the restoration of constitutional order.
She stopped short of saying the Obama administration would demand the return to power of the deposed president, who was forcibly removed from the country on Sunday morning by the Honduran military.
A reporter asked whether the administration would insist that Zelaya be restored to power.
"We haven't laid out any demands that we're insisting on, because we're working with others on behalf of our ultimate objectives, which are shared broadly," Clinton replied.
"So we think that the arrest and expulsion of a president is certainly cause for concern that has to be addressed. And it's not just with respect to whether our aid continues, but whether democracy in Honduras continues."
Clinton cited a "fast-moving set of circumstances" in Honduras that require close monitoring.
"Our immediate priority is to restore full democratic and constitutional order in that country," Clinton said at her first news conference since breaking her right elbow in a fall at the State Department June 17.
"As we move forward, all parties have a responsibility to address the underlying problems that led to yesterday's events in a way that enhances democracy and the rule of law in Honduras," she added.
While stating that circumstances in Honduras had "evolved into a coup," Clinton added that it was a fast-moving situation with an uncertain outcome. "So we are withholding any formal legal determination. But I think the reality is that having expelled the president, we have a lot of work to do to try to help the Hondurans get back on the democratic path that they've been on for a number of years now," Clinton said.
She said the United States is looking at its aid program for the country and considering the implications of the forced removal of Zelaya for continued American assistance.
More reactions under the cut
President Lula (Brazil): We cannot accept or recognize any new government that isn't President Zelaya, because he was directly elected by vote, obeying the rules of democracy. We cannot accept anymore, in Latin America, someone resolving a problem through a coup, because we cannot accept someone seeking a way out that isn't democratic, without free and direct elections. And (Manuel) Zelaya won the elections. Therefore, he should return to the presidency of Honduras. The only condition in which we can establish relations with Honduras. And so if Honduras does not reconsider its position, it will become totally isolated in the middle of a huge contingent of democratic countries.
President Michelle Bachelet (Chile and Unasur pro-tempore president): Unasur does not recognize any situation which implies the rupture of democratic institutional order, rule of law or which compromises the stability of the Republic of Honduras and condemns the kidnapping of President Zelaya and cabinet ministers and the taking over of government offices by groups that which are intent in destabilizing democracy and will not recognize any other government which is not legal and legitimately elected.
President Cristina Kirchner (Argentina): I'm deeply worried about the situation in Honduras. It reminds us of the worst years in Latin America's history. We will demand that the OAS fully comply with the democratic charter that requires unconditional respect for democracy and, above all, the restoration of the Honduran president. I do not hesitate to call this a return to barbarity. All countries of the continent and the entire international community should demand the return of the democratically elected president.
José Luis Zapatero (Prime Minister of Spain), through his office: The head of the government expressed his strongest condemnation for the illegal detention and expulsion of the constitutional president of the republic of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya. The solution to any dispute must always be found through dialogue and respect for democratic rules. There is not, neither can there ever be, a solution to the Honduran crisis outside the country's constitutional framework.
Ban Ki-moon (UN Secretary-General), through spokesperson: the secretary-general "expresses his strong support for the country's democratic institutions and condemns the arrest today of the constitutional President. He urges the reinstatement of the democratically elected representatives of the country and full respect for human rights, including safeguards for the security of President (Manuel) Zelaya, members of his family and his government," the statement said. "The United Nations stands ready to provide assistance in overcoming this crisis".
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ETA: Obama: Honduras coup "Not Legal"
ETA#2 (last one, I promise): There are words about a death and arrests. The death has been denied by the hospital. Few images, click for bigger version ...
So basically dozens of countries are not recognizing the new government, calling their ambassadors home etc. Chavez is threatening to send his military over there. Creepy to read when you have a military dictatorship as part of your history, I hope it's not as serious as it sounds to my ears and this better have a happy ending. I don't think I've ever heard such a serious tone in Lula's voice while speaking about a foreign government before.
(CNN)-- Honduras remained calm but tense Monday as military troops who removed President Jose Manuel Zelaya a day earlier ringed the presidential palace and demonstrations broke out nearby.
The Telesur TV network showed images of troops, tanks and other military assets deployed around the presidential grounds.
The station, a conglomerate formed by several Latin American countries and partially funded by the pro-Zelaya Venezuelan government, reported that the armed forces had set up roadblocks on major highways to inspect passengers on buses and trucks making their way to Tegucigalpa, the capital.
The new government declared an indefinite curfew and shut down media sources.
Zelaya supporters have called for a general strike, the station said.
CNN en Español correspondent Krupskaia Alis, who witnessed Monday's protests, said the demonstrators numbered in the hundreds.
Telesur showed images of a handful of masked protesters setting up a makeshift roadblock, but there were no visible confrontations.
The military deposed Zelaya early Sunday and flew him to Costa Rica. Roberto Micheletti, president of the Congress, was named provisional president.
Zelaya had been at odds with the other branches of government over a referendum he wanted to hold Sunday. The nation's Supreme Court had ruled the referendum was illegal, and Congress had voted not to hold it.
Zelaya disregarded those actions and vowed to hold the vote anyway.
The head of the Organization of American States condemned the coup, and the U.N. General Assembly held a session Monday to discuss the crisis.
"My country has lost its democratic form of government," said Jorge Arturo Reina, Honduras' ambassador to the United Nations.
OAS Secretary-General Jose Miguel Insulza said nations must maintain pressure on Honduras.
"We should not accept that government under any circumstances," Insulza said in an interview on Telesur.
The new government must be isolated diplomatically and politically, Insulza said.
"Invade Honduras? No. That's not going to occur," he said. But "yesterday was a bad day for democracy."
SOURCE FOR MORE
Clinton says Honduras has "evolved into a coup"
WASHINGTON-Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday the United States believes the unrest in Honduras "has evolved into a coup," but the U.S. is not demanding that deposed President Manuel Zelaya be restored to office.
She also said the military coup has not triggered an automatic cutoff of U.S. aid to Honduras.
Clinton told reporters at the State Department that a delegation from the Organization of American States will be heading to Honduras as early as Tuesday "to begin working with the parties" on the restoration of constitutional order.
She stopped short of saying the Obama administration would demand the return to power of the deposed president, who was forcibly removed from the country on Sunday morning by the Honduran military.
A reporter asked whether the administration would insist that Zelaya be restored to power.
"We haven't laid out any demands that we're insisting on, because we're working with others on behalf of our ultimate objectives, which are shared broadly," Clinton replied.
"So we think that the arrest and expulsion of a president is certainly cause for concern that has to be addressed. And it's not just with respect to whether our aid continues, but whether democracy in Honduras continues."
Clinton cited a "fast-moving set of circumstances" in Honduras that require close monitoring.
"Our immediate priority is to restore full democratic and constitutional order in that country," Clinton said at her first news conference since breaking her right elbow in a fall at the State Department June 17.
"As we move forward, all parties have a responsibility to address the underlying problems that led to yesterday's events in a way that enhances democracy and the rule of law in Honduras," she added.
While stating that circumstances in Honduras had "evolved into a coup," Clinton added that it was a fast-moving situation with an uncertain outcome. "So we are withholding any formal legal determination. But I think the reality is that having expelled the president, we have a lot of work to do to try to help the Hondurans get back on the democratic path that they've been on for a number of years now," Clinton said.
She said the United States is looking at its aid program for the country and considering the implications of the forced removal of Zelaya for continued American assistance.
More reactions under the cut
President Lula (Brazil): We cannot accept or recognize any new government that isn't President Zelaya, because he was directly elected by vote, obeying the rules of democracy. We cannot accept anymore, in Latin America, someone resolving a problem through a coup, because we cannot accept someone seeking a way out that isn't democratic, without free and direct elections. And (Manuel) Zelaya won the elections. Therefore, he should return to the presidency of Honduras. The only condition in which we can establish relations with Honduras. And so if Honduras does not reconsider its position, it will become totally isolated in the middle of a huge contingent of democratic countries.
President Michelle Bachelet (Chile and Unasur pro-tempore president): Unasur does not recognize any situation which implies the rupture of democratic institutional order, rule of law or which compromises the stability of the Republic of Honduras and condemns the kidnapping of President Zelaya and cabinet ministers and the taking over of government offices by groups that which are intent in destabilizing democracy and will not recognize any other government which is not legal and legitimately elected.
President Cristina Kirchner (Argentina): I'm deeply worried about the situation in Honduras. It reminds us of the worst years in Latin America's history. We will demand that the OAS fully comply with the democratic charter that requires unconditional respect for democracy and, above all, the restoration of the Honduran president. I do not hesitate to call this a return to barbarity. All countries of the continent and the entire international community should demand the return of the democratically elected president.
José Luis Zapatero (Prime Minister of Spain), through his office: The head of the government expressed his strongest condemnation for the illegal detention and expulsion of the constitutional president of the republic of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya. The solution to any dispute must always be found through dialogue and respect for democratic rules. There is not, neither can there ever be, a solution to the Honduran crisis outside the country's constitutional framework.
Ban Ki-moon (UN Secretary-General), through spokesperson: the secretary-general "expresses his strong support for the country's democratic institutions and condemns the arrest today of the constitutional President. He urges the reinstatement of the democratically elected representatives of the country and full respect for human rights, including safeguards for the security of President (Manuel) Zelaya, members of his family and his government," the statement said. "The United Nations stands ready to provide assistance in overcoming this crisis".
SOURCE
SOURCE
SOURCE
SOURCE
SOURCE
ETA: Obama: Honduras coup "Not Legal"
ETA#2 (last one, I promise): There are words about a death and arrests. The death has been denied by the hospital. Few images, click for bigger version ...
So basically dozens of countries are not recognizing the new government, calling their ambassadors home etc. Chavez is threatening to send his military over there. Creepy to read when you have a military dictatorship as part of your history, I hope it's not as serious as it sounds to my ears and this better have a happy ending. I don't think I've ever heard such a serious tone in Lula's voice while speaking about a foreign government before.