Responses to the Coup d'etat in Honduras on Sunday June 28, with special emphasis on producing English-language versions of commentaries by Honduran scholars and editorial writers and addressing the confusion encouraged by lack of basic knowledge about Honduras.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Inadvertent truth? When generals merge with politicians...

A BBC report on the interpretive aftermath of the signing of the Tegucigalpa (Guaymuras) Accord rehearses the main points of disagreement between the two sides.

The Zelaya administration insisting that the Congressional vote on return of the Executive Power to its state prior to June 28 logically has to precede establishing a reconciliation government (or else we face the bizarre prospect of Zelaya, as a supposed "private citizen", negotiating half the cabinet posts based on-- what?).

The Micheletti group, meanwhile, continue to ignore the fact that what is at issue is timing of the Congressional vote-- not the outcome-- in favor of emphasizing that Zelaya has accepted whatever outcome comes from this vote-- which they will not commit to having before the supposed reconciliation government takes form.

And then there are those rumors of behind the scenes deals between Pepe Lobo and the US State Department, to ensure that if the Congress ever convenes, the vote will be for reinstatement of Zelaya.

But what is most interesting to me about this brief article is something else: the concluding sentences that read
In these last few precarious hours, many politicians are reluctant to declare themselves. And some, like Gen Romeo Vasquez have taken refuge in absolute silence.
As a reminder: General Vasquez and his Armed Forces are supposed to be apolitical and non-deliberative. He cannot even vote in the election, according the the Constitution. He isn't supposed to be a politician.

But this is one of the enduring legacies of the coup d'etat, come what may: the military has emerged from behind the scenes, newly empowered to make and break governments.

That should worry us all.

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