Obama Administration Restating Its Position on Honduran Coup?

[G_j]

Source: IPSnews

Published on Thursday, August 13, 2009 by Inter Press Service

Obama Administration Restating Its Position on Honduran Coup?
by Marina Litvinsky

WASHINGTON - A letter sent last week by the U.S. State Department has caused many to question the Obama Administration position on reinstating ousted Honduras President Manuel Zelaya.

In an Aug. 4 letter to Senator Richard Lugar - the ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee - signed by Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs Richard Verma, the U.S. condemned the coup, though said Zelaya was to blame for his ousting and did not call for his return.

"Our policy and strategy for engagement is not based on supporting any particular politician or individual," said the letter. "We also recognise that President Zelaya's insistence on undertaking provocative actions contributed to the polarisation of Honduran society and led to a confrontation that unleashed the events that led to his removal."

Vicki Gass, a Honduras specialist at the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), said the letter highlighted U.S. support for a democratic government and the rule of law in Honduras, not necessarily support of Zelaya.

Read more: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/08/13-9

[bemildred]

1. I think the judgement is that the lack of vigorous US support for the coup will be sufficient

in time, to bring it down. In the meantime they don't mind looking like weasels, and they don't really want to support Zelaya either. I think they are wrong about supporting Zelaya, clinging to the past, being timid, but by comparison with what the Bushites would be doing, it's not so bad.

[David__77]

2. I'm not unhappy about the weasel words...

I'd rather the US speak and act weaselly rather than speak correctly and act weaselly. Unfortunately, we cannot expect correct actions.

[formercia]

3. How can other countries rely on the US?

Wish-washy. You won't get any respect in Latin America talking like that. If a Latin American leader made such a statement, they would be ridiculed in the press.