Honduras Coup: European Union Seeks Clarification

[sojoooman]

why did the world come down so hard on the coup in honduras, but kept quiet during the coups that took place in fiji, thailand and venezula and several african countries. Why honduras?

[ariq024]

This is the reason why EE.UU has this big economical crisis

When the banker has profits free makket and no regulation

but when they had losses they becoming socialist.

[VirtualBoi]

After all, the goverment itself DOES not have any money, unless it collectes it from the people who do WORK through taxation. People need to wake up and understand that if the goverment takes the wealth of some to distribute it to others is a form of "THEFT". There are many out there who would love to live off the backs of others and do nothing but receive everyting from their "nanny" goverment because they hate the rich. If the rich decide to leave, guess who are going to be the real loosers?

[chigangsta09]

VirtualBoi STFU!!!!!! U DONT KNOW WTF YOUR TALKING ABOUT. HOW YOU LIKE HAVING A HAND UP YOUR AZZ , U LITTLE PUPPET.

[VirtualBoi]

Only the private secotr creates jobs and prosperity. Throwing a piece of bread to an hungry population might satisfy the hunger of today, but does nothing for tomorrow. Governments are to create the conditions where people can forge their own destiny and be and do as much as they can to enrich the country as a whole. The idealogy of the leftist to wage war with the rich only creates a bigger gap of discontent amonst all sides of society and does not resolve any problems.

[VirtualBoi]

Although I commend all the things that Pres Zelaya might have done for the poor, and that he shouldn't have been ousted the way he was, the leftist idealogy and agenda he wanted to follow, similar to the one in Venezuela, Nicaragua, Ecuador, and Bolivia, IS that of "Dictatorship" through the law and a war against the people with more., DOES NOT work. A State where the governement takes from the those who have and give to the ones that don't does not create prosperity.

[bigstU25]

YES! UNDER HONDURAN LAW! When the Military went and got Zelaya he was NOT President!

Under Honduran law, u cant constantly opt to change the constitution if congress votes no the 1st time, thats breaking the Honduran Constitutional law!

NOT ONLY THAT!

Zelaya's men took MILL$ out the Honduran Bank ILLEGALLY! And fired the General w/o clearence from congress!

Zelaya was a Convict when the military went to his house, NOT president! So how the hell was it a coup??

[patalek]

This reminded me of the quote: "All that is required for evil to triumph is for good to do nothing."

Nobody wanted to do anything drastic, just tell Mel that he needs to carry out calling for a Constitutional Convention in the way specified, a 2/3 vote of Congress - just like in the U.S. But Mel was just too hard-headed to heed this advice and that was because the plan put together with ALBA did not include a way to back out. They even expected a coup and negotiated with the OAS last year.

[VirtualBoi]

Because they created such a mess, they are giving in now. No country will recognize them as legitimate. And in nowdays if a country decides to isolate itself from the rest of the world is a death sentance. Zelaya MUST pay for what he did that was illegal the way the law dictates. Not the way other people with thirst of power want to do with him.

[VirtualBoi]

If Zelaya had commited so many "crimes" why didn't they issue a warrant for his arrest, jailed him and then brought him to a court of justice? Instead they "overthrew" him, that's a coup EVERYWHERE else in the universe. If the people who ousted him were so "righteous" about the constitution, why did they lied about a "letter of resignation" they supposedly received from Zelaya? If he had resigned, why did they need to do what they did? No comment of that letter everafter.......

[elsalazar29]

I absolutely agree with you VirtualBoi. I think they didn't take him to court because there was no proof of the supposed crimes. The wealthy government officials were scared of a change in the country. It WAS a coup no doubt about it.

[bigstU25]

LEARN HONDURAN LAW! When the Military went and got Zelaya he was NOT President!

Under Honduran law, u cant constantly opt to change the constitution if congress votes no the 1st time, thats breaking the Honduran Constitutional law!

NOT ONLY THAT!

Zelaya's men took MILL$ out the Honduran Bank ILLEGALLY! And fired the General w/o clearence from congress!

Zelaya was a Convict when the military went to his house, NOT president, they have evidence to bac the claim! So how the hell was it a coup??

[bigstU25]

READ THE HONDURAN CONSTITUTION! It permits for the Gov'ts discretion on what to do w/ their prisoners, whether to imprison or exile them. Zelaya was no Pres @ the time they threw him out, he was a convict. They threw him out of the country so they will make it hard for the lib/non-democratic media of Honduras to get access to Zelaya; in turn keeping Zelaya's misinformed ass supporters(10% of Honduras) cool.

That move prevented more violence & deaths of the innocent than what already happened.

[patalek]

Now we have to see if Zelaya/Micheletti can fix the mess. Right now all those extra scholarships are good for nothing as the public school teachers are in the streets and kids are in the house. While others were used by the U.S. in the past, Zelaya was used by Chavez and from what he had to offer, i.e.: ALBA light bulbs, etc. His single minded focus to make a substantial change to the political system of the country put him at odds with a struggling middle class and confused everyone.

[starmanskye]

Some of Zelaya's 'crimes': He raised the minimum wage, gave out free school lunches, provided milk for babies & pensions for the elderly, distributed energy-saving lightbulbs, decreased the price of public transportation, made more scholarships available for students. He increased teacher's salaries & fixed the roads. He put schools in remote rural areas that never had them before. He let anyone go into the Presidential Palace and converted it from an elite residence to the people's house.

[elsalazar29]

Thank you starkmanskye, people always seem to forget the poor. He did help. To help a country as poor as Honduras more time is needed in office. No other president has helped Honduras as much.

[bobbeth6]

The only coup that was being attempted was by Zelaya and his mob thuggery to usurp power over the rule of law and constitution. The freedom loving world should wake up to the fact that Cuban/Venzualan style trumped up plebicites may work for thugs like the Castros, Chavezs, and the Sandinistas, but that at times brave people will stand up to this leftist, totalitarian strong armed tactics. The powers that be in Honduras were all in agreement. They are right, the world is wrong. Viva libertad.

[starmanskye]

C Amer. political analyst Alberto Valiente Thoresen cites Honduras '82 constitution as a flawed compromise of US gov supported counter-insurgency policies, civil façade military governments & undemocratic policies. In assembly of elected representatives from various political parties & social sectors, a new more progressive & inclusive constitution would have big impact on country's corrupt politicians, powerful sweatshop owners & repressive military institutions. THAT'S why the coup happened.

[bobbeth6]

The law may be good or it may be crummy, but one just can't ignore a law, for political expediency, he disagrees with. Change the law within the confines of the democratic process. Zelaya cannot arbitrarily change the rules of the game everyone understood and took an oath to abide by. This may work for Senator Al Franken in Minnesota, but those kind of tactics are problematic in that all comers will then think they are above the law. Thorensen is probably a leftist apologist with an agenda.

[Lucem2]

While these guys are playing with the formalities of proper diplomacy, Chavez have already send his militias to break hell in Honduras.

By the time they come with a solution is going to be late.

[VirtualBoi]

Isn't interensting that when trying to deffend the coup that they use Cuba as an example that after the OAS suspension nothing happened. Isn't also interesting that they are limiting freedom, attacking people and silencing the media.... Does it that sound like Statetism?...... Perhaps because that is the only way they can govern, through force. How can people who claim to be for democracy, turn to the dictators for vindication of their belief???? This is absolute insanity.

[VirtualBoi]

How convenient it is to have statues in the constitution to remove a democratically elected president. Nothing will please the elite that controls the government to use the law to remove anyone who "violates" their "rule through the law". What kind of constitutuion lets the "other" powers of government remove a President???? If you want to keep living in the dark ages of military control, go ahead and isolate yourselves from the rest of the world.

[SparkamusPryme]

Before the coup, Zelaya said, "You have declared war against me. Now face the consequences."

hahaha, dumbass.

[patalek]

Thank you gcarolina for noting that when Zelaya officially Proposed a week ago to change articles of the constitution, that are specifically protected, he broke the law and his removal from office was a constitutional action - and therefore is not a coup. What Zelaya was attempting was more of a self-coup as he well stated on Saturday when he said he is above everyone and all the laws. Zelaya has his plan and the EU will just watch as he tries to carry it out.

[starmanskye]

So-called 'defenders' of democracy are uninformed about reality of entrenched elites where 1% own 90% resources and Courts & Congress are packed by corrupt cronies. They haven't even read the poll, or else are lying about Zelaya's dictatorial abuses because its the only way to justify the coup. FACT: Article 5 of Civilian Participation Act 2006 authorizes gov poll surveying public's opinion on policy issues. Zelaya was extending participation to the 70% disenfranchised poor, threatening elites.

[KINGFISHER300]

this is KING-FISHER..este es KING-FISHER...ZELAYA NO SERA PRESIDENTE EN HONDURAS...si viene o entra en persona sera arrestado..o peor...ZELAYA will not be president of honduras he will be arrested or worse..be wise ZELAYA build a home in costa rica and retire peacefully...tu estas terminado ya. no regresses ZELAYA........signed 'KING-FISHER"

[VirtualBoi]

Couldn't they have done that instead of ousted him? Honduras people should not allow this coup to take place. This is going back to the military times when dictators did whatever they wanted. If like they say 95% of the peple wanted the expresident out, then they will unanimously reject the popular vote to mend the constitution....

[mrbusdriversir]

What coup? you have no idea of all the reasons why we got this president out of power and what our constitution says about somebody who violates it the way this bastard did. I preffer to have him out then to have another Venezuela or cuba in my contry.

[VirtualBoi]

The Honduran president was not a "dictator" because the people elected him. If he turns out to be a bad president the PEOPLE have the power to remove him by electing someone else. What the other 2 powers of the state have no right to do is to remove him militarily. How is it that if violated 18 articles and instead of being jailed they they violently took him to Costa Rica, and now they claim that he has an warrant for his arrest WHEREVER HE IS...?

[gcarolinaespino]

I understand how in other countries you may think that what we did was wrong. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. There were legal actions being done against Zelaya. However when he published a decree (which only congress can do) to convene a Constitutional assembly (which is used to change the constitution) he triggered a constitutional protection in the article 239 of the constitution that reads that whom ever violates this will inmediatly cease its functions. No impeachment needed.

[mrbusdriversir]

but he was going to be a dictator after he change the constitution like Chavez did in Venezuela. maybe in USA this couldnt happen but in Honduras the constitution call for a removal of the president if he violates the constitution the way he did.

[starmanskye]

Theres very little truth to anything being said bout the coup in US 'news'. Zelaya is no radical. He approved a big minimum wage increase,  desperately needed in a nation where 1% elites own 90% resources. The intensity of elite reaction via coup reflects feudal mentality of ruling oligarchy, not Zelayas politics. He wasn't trying to extend office but polling public on a new constitution to correct abuses of privelege & power. The only side guilty of unconstitutional action are coup plotters.

[coolcreep]

the US news has been overwhelmingly pro-Zeleya, in fact its probably where you got your fudged statistics and info.

[docmoriarti]

He was removed under a warrant issued by the Supreme Court of Hondurus. How is that not the rule of law? Democraticly elected officials can be impeached in cases of corruption or treason. He was clearly attempting a power grab by dismissing the Constitution in order to go around his constitutional term limits. That's treason. This was bloodless and civil. If anything, the world should applaud the handling of such an volatile situation in such careful manner. Why would EU support dictators?

[ElAlexxis]

"He was going to do this" ," he was going to do that", I guess is the Bush doctrine messing up your brains.

You support the kidnapping of a legitimate president at gunpoint and his government overthrow, that is a military coup, end of story! Every military coup is always excused as "saving" the country!

The United Nations, the Organization of American States and every single country on the planet understands this as a clear military coup but, of course they don't "understand" .

[DHK59]

hes a fuckni insane leftest becuase of him honduras went threw so much shit economicly and the whole time he was president he has been making it more expensive to live there people beraly have a doller to life off there and hes makin it worse

[gcarolinaespino]

In Honduran LAW (which you may not know about, please admit this) if you try to pass a decree like this one, which he did, it triggers a constitutional protection article 239 which says that you are to be removed from office INMEDIATLY and not even try to run for office in the next 10 years. No trail needed, no impeachment needed. This article was written to prevent what this guy was trying to do. The millitary was right in arresting him and removing him from office. Our law is different.

[SparkamusPryme]

I'm kinda confused why Obama called this an 'illegal coup.' I'm amazed to see him on the same page as Chavez.

[MultiCharlitos]

We hondurans dont need Zelaya back in our country!

[4stemcellresearch]

European Union, please support the new president of Honduras. The Honduran congress saved the Honduran Constitucion. Zelaya is a criminal. We the people of Honduras DO NOT WANT HIM BACK.

[loganstormo8]

Hondorus just prove to the world how commited to democracy they really are by removing this power hungry leftist. One less futture dictator to worry about. if democracts and republicans should be removed if they break our constitutional laws with their personal agendas.

[seka1986]

Zelaya had to go. Too bad there is no coup in the USA. Obama needs to go too.

[1hippie91]

Mel Zelaya failed in his job as president. He has shown to be a bad president and his decisions, influeced by Hugo Chavez, led to this politic crisis and eventually to his fate. He deserves to be put in jail due to the several violations against the constitution. And the Army did not act alone, they acted based on a supreme court order which was based on the constitution of Honduras. Mel Zelaya has attempted to changed our democracy and this is the result. We, as Hondurans don't want Socialism.

[ElAlexxis]

Hi guys, If you ever find an issue difficult to understand, then, read what this kind of morons say is right and do the opposite. :)

[kportillo]

The European Union doesn't know the whole truth! They only know what the rest of the world knows that our "democratic" president was "kidnapped". It was not a coup because it is established in our Constitution that the Supreme Court should act as it sees fit for the removal on any threat against our democracy. He was told repeated times to stop his intentions to go forward with his "non biding" referendum but refused to follow the law. This was a necessary measure against a tyrant such as Zelaya

[ElAlexxis]

you can tell the president of your country one thousand time to stop doing things you don't like. He doesn't have ANY obligation to listen to you specifically. He has already won the peoples MANDATE when he was elected end of story. You can only wait till he finishes his term. How hard is basic democracy to grasp for these simplistic fools?

[seka1986]

You sound just like a dictator.

[Natemckenney]

He wasn't removed because people didn't agree with him. He was moving to change the constitution (illegally), directly and openly opposing orders from congress and without regard for any authority. That is dangerous behavior. He was supporting illegal votes and promoting instability by encouraging citizens to ignore law, violently if necessary. I am proud of how the Honduran government legally removed a dangerous president without any bloodshed.

[digviano77]

A coup? Who says this is a coup... first inform yourself...

[ElAlexxis]

no, you inform yourself buddy.

What do you call kidnapping the president and taking him out of the country at gunpoint and then having a "new" president. That is a really neat trick.

[ElAlexxis]

The classical double standard.

When you, at gunpoint kidnap an elected president and drop him abroad, that is a military coup. Then you can expect the tipical bullshit about "illegal polls" and other rubbish.

There you have your "clarification"

[gastonytHD]

Who do you think was going make the poll counting and printing of the ballots?

[ElAlexxis]

One might have a thousand questions and arguments and still not be able to justify a military coup against a legitimate elected president. You can not use any of your criticism as an excuse to stage a coup. First when that is agreed you can start a discussion regarding common political issues.

[gastonytHD]

To bad MY CONGRESS and SUPREME COURT didn't handle this in another way, by presenting Zelayas faults against the entire World, and I'm sorry internal actions, by the government, insulted your mind. LATER

[ElAlexxis]

I don't question your support for military coup, its your choice. Coup supporters in history preach "legality" always, but that doesn't change anything. "Your" congress and supreme court can say whatever they want, they still have NONE legal way of ordering a kidnapping of the elected president, it doesn't matter how much you dislike his policies. Let me tell you that "your" judges and military involved would get LEGALLY sentence to execution without exception. Do you understand?

[ElAlexxis]

Let me tell you that your judges and military involved would get LEGALLY sentence to execution and life prison for treason in the U.S without exception. Do you understand?

[docmoriarti]

When you do it with a warrant issued by the nation's top court, it's called "impeachment" -- not "coup".

[mrbusdriversir]

I agree.