Zelaya also knows this: Everyone is getting tired of him. Ever since his failed attempt to enter the country by plane on July 5th, Zelaya's value as the left-wing Cinderella hero of the International Community has been fading. Every day he spends bouncing around different countries like some kind of Central American Michael Jackson decreases his momentum and increasingly makes him a embarrassment to the very people that desired his success.
Hence, the ongoing drama that is currently unfolding on the Nicaraguan – Honduran border. In classic Zelaya style, he began to inform the world of his imminent return to Honduras by land. First, he was going to come last week. Then it was going to be last weekend. I'm on my way! Maybe. Then the calls to the labor unions and other pro-Zelaya groups to strike and otherwise disrupt the flow of goods and services that travel via the national highway system. Then on Thursday he was coming for sure. The call went out to the faithful to come and meet him at the border.
So once again, for a brief period of 48 hours, Zelaya obtained that which desires more than food: Cameras rolling and the international press surrounding him to faithfully chronicle his triumphant return to Honduran soil. What the press doesn't tell anyone is that although Zelaya did theoretically step foot into Honduras, the Honduran government had given orders to the military to pullback 25 meters and Zelaya was informed that if he advanced pass that point that he would be arrested with or without people around him. At the end of the day, Zelaya got what he wanted, his 15 minutes of fame and Honduras got what it wanted: Zelaya's hasty retreat back into Nicaragua.
Is the situation tense? Yes. Those that live on the border where this circus is unfolding are under a strict 24-hour curfew and Zelaya has vowed to set up camp on the Nicaraguan side of the border and continue to call for insurrection. Also, there are groups of people who are attempting to go to the border and be with Zelaya and usher him into Honduras permanently. Also there are strikes and general disruptions throughout the country (especially in the capital Tegucigalpa) as pro-Zelaya groups cause trouble. But time is not on his side.
While all of this was unfolding that there were two marches — one in Tegucigalpa and one in San Pedro Sula — where hundreds of thousands (the largest Honduras has ever seen) of Hondurans demonstrated their support for the constitution, democracy, and peace. These two were the biggest, but there have been many other demonstrations over the last month as well. In contrast, the demonstrations for Zelaya can be counted in the hundreds and are more angry and violent. These are the pictures the press loves to take and try to make it look like all of Honduras is revolting and in favor of Zelaya's return while at the same time ignoring the hundreds of thousands marching against his reinstatement.
What I think is going to happen is that our Mr. Zelaya is going find himself distanced more from the U.S. government. Obama & Co. know that they are on the wrong side of this and, I think, are looking for a graceful, face-saving, way out. On the website www.supportfreehonduras.com, there are posted articles with recent comments coming from the State department that shows a distinct shift in the U.S. governments position regarding Honduras.
It was reported that Zelaya was traveling to the US for a meeting with the State Department at the beginning of this week. If that meeting gets canceled or postponed (and the State Department is waffling), the handwriting is on the wall. You can expect the OAS to keep talking tough due to the heavy influence of the ALBA countries and for Arias to keep calling for negotiations. You can also expect Zelaya, if he stays true to form, to become increasingly strident in his call for help both from within Honduras and from the International Community. In fact, I think the only reason he has not tried to overtly force a violent confrontation is that he knows this would alienate him from the international community that has thus far supported him. But if he perceives that he is losing that support, he will feel that he has nothing to lose and could attempt something more radical. Who knows? The crystal ball only goes so far.
Keep praying for Honduras. At the end of the day, the Body of Christ is called to complete the work of the ministry that we have been called to in Honduras. We are not reporters nor politicians. We are ministers. So we plan on keeping our focus on what's important and we call on all of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who are getting these updates to continue to do the same. Remember that we have not been given a spirit of fear. We know whom we serve, we hear His voice, and we move forward with a boldness that comes from being in His perfect will.
HONDURAS —
Zelaya tiptoed over the Honduran-Nicaraguan border Friday while talking on his cell phone to "world leaders" — a ridiculous and comical scene!
Click "Frontlines" at left for a first-hand account.
HONDURAS — Chanting slogans for peace, courage and democracy, 100,000 Hondurans marched with civility and order in the capital yesterday. Dressed in blue and white, most gathered in the vicinity of the National Autonomous University of Honduras, UNAH and then moved to Camp Lempira Queen, the south side of National Stadium.
There was representation from sectors of society: the Catholic and Evangelical churches, businesses, political parties, youth and adults, who shouted in unison that in Honduras we want peace and democracy.
The event organized by the Civic Democratic Union, UCD, was called "Great place of the patriotism and courage" and served to show the world that this small country where there is no bloodshed and where we want to live in peace and democracy.
Slogans
People carried placards with signs that read: "Respect for the Constitution, Chávez and his gang are afraid of appearing in pajamas in Costa Rica", "Mel, you're not going to Honduras to return, no chavismo in Honduras, we do not want to interference from Hugo Chávez" and "We want peace."
The protesters were against the return of former President Manuel Zelaya Rosales. Furthermore, it became clear rejection of the interference of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez in the internal affairs of Honduras.
It also questioned former officials of the previous government for having committed acts of corruption and asked to be punished to the full extent of the law. In Lempira Reina, many people were in favor of the democratic system and against actions that do not help improve the welfare of the Honduran people.
John Ferrera, a member of the UCD, said that the march has been so far "the most significant." This is a hope for the Hondurans, but also a commitment to ensure respect for the Constitution and laws, he said.
Recommended that the Government address the education, health and human rights, but as we responsibly and balance the interests of society in general.
"We no longer want to continue living the lies. Lying is the worst thing that could have and demagoguery of politicians such as former President Manuel Zelaya, should not be repeated back because there has been corruption and tricks to cheat the people and this can not continue, "said John Ferrera.
Ricardo Alvarez, mayor of Tegucigalpa, said that although the world is just leaving Honduras, the Honduran people are united, striving for peace and national reconciliation.
The former president of the Supreme Court, Vilma Cecilia Morales, seeing the magnitude of the march, said: "This is the voice of the people calling for respect for its laws. We are the great who can transform Honduras. "
They wanted to boycott the march
Police arrested six youths dressed in the uniform of the Jungle and Technical Institutes Milla Honduras who were trying to boycott the march.
The boys attacked the demonstrators, throwing stones and sticks, in opposition to the presumed intention of robbing the government bond education, scholarships and other benefits, which was denied by the Education Minister Santos Sosa. The police officer Freddy Urbina said: "We managed to disperse them and we have captured several students and two teachers."
HONDURAS —
A group of five Americans, representing Americans living in Honduras, met with the U. S. Ambassador to Honduras on Monday. The meeting lasting more than one hour and 20 minutes. Both sides presented their positions, and neither changed its views. The view of the Americans is that Honduras followed its constitutional order. The view of the State Department is that, yes, Zelaya committed various crimes but he should have been dealt with more slowly. The Americans emphasized that timing was critical — that Zelaya's proposed referendum would have set him up to seize power. It was a good opening dialogue — apparently the first time the ambassador had met with Americans living in Honduras since the new government was formed.
Chavez Threatens Honduras
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjiKvUJXpm8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRGCkac8FlU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS4C3x9yTUA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxcY1WWgmz8
FOX NEWS VIDEO EXPLAINS
BACKGROUND
On Sunday, June 28, 2009, the Supreme Court of Honduras ordered the arrest of then-President Manuel Zelaya for a number of crimes against the laws and constitution of Honduras. Acting on their orders, the Honduran military arrested Zelaya and transported him to Costa Rica. Under the constitution, the next official in the line of succession was Roberto Micheletti, the President of the Congress. Once Zelaya was out of the country, Micheletti was sworn in as the new President of the country. There was no "military coup" in Honduras but rather the Honduran military arresting Zelaya under lawful orders of the Supreme Court. Two branches of the government — the Supreme Court and the Congress — have united to remove from office the head of the executive branch, in accordance with widely-accepted checks and balances. Furthermore, there is no "military junta" running Honduras. Rather, the new President is a civilian who was chosen for his position by Congress, not the military. During the week beginning Monday, June 29, 2009, there was a complete disconnect between the "international community" and the people of Honduras. Throughout Honduras, there have been massive rallies in support of the new government — in every city — because 80+ percent of the people support the new government. This website is designed to keep you up to date on what is really happening in Honduras, why Zelaya was removed from office, and how you can support the people of Honduras in their quest for freedom, independence, and the rule of law. Most important of all, we ask you to fight any effort by Hugo Chavez or other totalitarian states to invade or attack Honduras. This would be an international crime that should be opposed by all freedom-loving peoples.
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