Greetings from Bangkok / saludos desde Bangkok
Attending a SEARCA meeting where I will present two papers. (http://www.searca.org/web/conferences/2009/biotech_crops/
En una conferencia organizada por SEARCA donde presentare dos articulos http://www.searca.org/web/conferences/2009/biotech_crops/)
El sitio web de SEARCA es muy interesante http://www.searca.org/web/
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Growth Killers - How many can you identify in our past governments?
We can all agree that growth is necessary, but not sufficient, for a country to develop. How growth will happen, is a long studied subject by academia, donor agencies, think tanks, and multi-lateral institutions. All of these actors have failed miserably in the quest for growth (read the book "White Men's Burden.." written William Easterly, fascinating reading . In fact, we may even argue that the more external interventions a country has had in the past, without a basic internalization of the deep structural changes needed, the more likely the country will fail in is quest for growth and development.
Lets first start with the easy part, a partial list of things that kill growth. These have been well documented in the literature. The hard part is taking these "killers of growth" and coming up with solutions that fit into a coherent and realizable plan and action. Let me post however, a sobering question, actually made by Easterly, "Are we planners or searchers (of solutions)." One has to decide which choice one adopts...
1) Corruption
2) (Bad) government and poor provision of basic services such as health, education, food, place to live, utilities, and communication services
3) Mismanagement and incompetence
4) Mis-understanding of the importance of technology. We have significant "technological gaps" that desperately need closing.
5) Land tenure and private property ownership. One can convincingly argue that in Honduras we have a quasi-feudal land tenure system.
6) Imperfect markets. We have "privatized" public enterprises, converting them from a state monopoly to a private monopoly or duopoly. Not much change I might add...
7) Mis-understood and mis-guided politics and politicos
8) Mis-guided aid and investment. Is it benefiting Honduras the process where we spent significant resources to become a HIPC, gained conditioned debt-forgiveness and the approval of poverty reduction strategy funds? Has this process of debt forgiveness worked elsewhere? Under what conditions?
9) Unclear or lacking energy, food security, science and technology, economic, agricultural, environmental policies.
11) Mis-guided decentralization.
12) Having 24/7/365 political rent-seeking and thus a permanent stream of candidacies for president and for other positions of power
More will be added to this list.
Lets first start with the easy part, a partial list of things that kill growth. These have been well documented in the literature. The hard part is taking these "killers of growth" and coming up with solutions that fit into a coherent and realizable plan and action. Let me post however, a sobering question, actually made by Easterly, "Are we planners or searchers (of solutions)." One has to decide which choice one adopts...
1) Corruption
2) (Bad) government and poor provision of basic services such as health, education, food, place to live, utilities, and communication services
3) Mismanagement and incompetence
4) Mis-understanding of the importance of technology. We have significant "technological gaps" that desperately need closing.
5) Land tenure and private property ownership. One can convincingly argue that in Honduras we have a quasi-feudal land tenure system.
6) Imperfect markets. We have "privatized" public enterprises, converting them from a state monopoly to a private monopoly or duopoly. Not much change I might add...
7) Mis-understood and mis-guided politics and politicos
8) Mis-guided aid and investment. Is it benefiting Honduras the process where we spent significant resources to become a HIPC, gained conditioned debt-forgiveness and the approval of poverty reduction strategy funds? Has this process of debt forgiveness worked elsewhere? Under what conditions?
9) Unclear or lacking energy, food security, science and technology, economic, agricultural, environmental policies.
11) Mis-guided decentralization.
12) Having 24/7/365 political rent-seeking and thus a permanent stream of candidacies for president and for other positions of power
More will be added to this list.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Presentacion interesante de la situacion actual de Honduras
Una muy buena presentación que me envió una buen amiga de lo que ha pasado en Honduras. La presentación se llama
http://www.scribd.com/share/upload/15976224/y9aiz4uh3el4pe74sua
“The Background, Myths, and Ironies of the Current Political Situation in Honduras” Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado, São Paulo, Brasil, September 21, 2009
http://www.scribd.com/share/upload/15976224/y9aiz4uh3el4pe74sua
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Riots versus legitimate freedom of expression: What is an appropriate law and order measure?
The media battle to frame what happened in Honduras with Zelaya's return (and his removal from power) has begun already. The need exist to keep law and order in the country and thus the curfew established by the transition government. When the 'resistencia' exercised its constitutional right to demonstrate in a peaceful manner, nothing happened for several days in a row. In fact, security forces escorted the manifestations to ensure that no provocation or disturbance occurred. Furthermore, these forces did not intervene even when some demonstrators painted buildings with slogans against the "dictatorship" to the chagrin of those building and house owners who's property was being defaced then and there.
When these legal expressions of opinion turned to burning cars, throwing stones, infringing on the rights of others by destroying property and risking the physical integrity of third parties; then we should expect a measured response by the police. If specific police persons exceeded a generally accepted standard of measured response, then this becomes an issue for legal penalties. Obviously, not every member of Mel's supporters is a vandal o committed these common crimes. In fact, the ones committing crimes may be a minority. Unfortunately, at this point observers such as us -or the police- cannot differentiate one from the other.
Obviously, with any measured response by security forces entails the possibility that people will get hurt. Riot control around the world, even in well established democracies, have shown this fact. So, we have to be careful about those claims of repression or the competing claim that nobody got hurt.
We need to go back to the dialogue table and find a solution in Honduras. We do not need the interference from outsiders. The violent demonstrations have to stop and this has to start by Mr. Zelaya ordering his accolites to do so, and Mr. Micheletti simultaneously lifting the curfew, while both agreeing to a dialogue to resolve this issue. See my previous posting for my proposal to do so.
When these legal expressions of opinion turned to burning cars, throwing stones, infringing on the rights of others by destroying property and risking the physical integrity of third parties; then we should expect a measured response by the police. If specific police persons exceeded a generally accepted standard of measured response, then this becomes an issue for legal penalties. Obviously, not every member of Mel's supporters is a vandal o committed these common crimes. In fact, the ones committing crimes may be a minority. Unfortunately, at this point observers such as us -or the police- cannot differentiate one from the other.
Obviously, with any measured response by security forces entails the possibility that people will get hurt. Riot control around the world, even in well established democracies, have shown this fact. So, we have to be careful about those claims of repression or the competing claim that nobody got hurt.
We need to go back to the dialogue table and find a solution in Honduras. We do not need the interference from outsiders. The violent demonstrations have to stop and this has to start by Mr. Zelaya ordering his accolites to do so, and Mr. Micheletti simultaneously lifting the curfew, while both agreeing to a dialogue to resolve this issue. See my previous posting for my proposal to do so.
Una propuesta de transicion a una nueva Honduras
La siguiente es una propuesta personal para resolver la crisis institucional y legal que está sufriendo el país en estos momentos. Como tal, la expongo como una alternativa a la propuesta hecha por el Excelentísimo Presidente de la República de Costa Rica, Sr. Oscar Arias. Vale la pena notar que tomo ciertos de los principios útiles de la propuesta del Presidente Arias en este documento.
En estos momentos críticos para nuestra vida como país independiente debemos continuar tomando las riendas de nuestro propio destino y desechar todo intento de injerencia política y física por parte de países, bloques comerciales y políticos ajenos a nuestros intereses.
Es mi opinión que esta crisis representara un rompimiento del paradigma político del país donde ahora si se cuestionara toda acción hecha por los partidos y dirigentes políticos. Este es el momento de reafirmar nuestro futuro como UNA nación, sin divisiones ni odios, donde todos trabajaremos para el bien común, y como resultado de un debate informado acerca de las opciones políticas y legales. Ya no se tolerara mas, la retorica barata y superficial de nuestros políticos, que explotaba el divisionismo ya sea por la vía del partido, clase social o económica, o cualquier otra. Ahora queremos escuchar ideas y propuestas concretas. Nada más.
Jose Benjamin Falck Zepeda
1) Principios básicos
a) El regreso del ciudadano Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales como Presidente de Honduras aparte de impráctico implicaría un conflicto interno continuo durante los menos de 5 meses que le quedan en su administración. Muy probablemente degenerará en un conflicto divisivo y potencialmente violento que el país no necesita. Este resultado, claramente no deseado, es una consecuencia del conflicto original no resuelto entre el ciudadano Zelaya y su Gabinete, los poderes legislativos y judiciales, y otros sectores del país. El ciudadano Zelaya en todo caso regresaría a un papel meramente decorativo ya que no cuenta con el apoyo de los otros dos poderes del Estado y una mayoría de la población hondureña. Por consiguiente, el regreso de los miembros de su gabinete, tampoco es óptimo ni deseado.
b) La permanencia del ciudadano Roberto Micheletti Bain en la presidencia de la República hasta la transición constitucional programada para Enero 28 del 2010, no es sostenible tampoco, debido a la oposición de organismos internacionales y países que han expresado su condena de la acciones del 28 de Junio del 2009. Esto condenaría a la nación a un aislamiento y presiones internacionales que difícilmente podemos sostener dada la situación económica y fiscal del país después del explicito deterioro de nuestro presupuesto, el despilfarro y franco saqueo de las finanzas públicas durante la administración del Ciudadano Zelaya y otras.
c) Toda acción tomada debe estar enmarcada dentro de la Constitución y el respeto de las leyes de la República independiente de Honduras.
d) Nadie está encima de la Constitución y de las leyes.
e) Las elecciones generales en Noviembre del 2009 ni la transición de poder después de este proceso en Enero del 2010, no son negociables ni postergables.
f) Se debe maximizar el beneficio del país, a pesar de sacrificar beneficios personales o de partido.
2) Instituciones e Institucionalidad
a) Se creara una Junta Supervisora de Vigilancia del proceso de transición que funcionara hasta la toma de posesión presidencial en Enero del 2010.
b) Se creara una Comisión de la Verdad que investigara y proveerá un reporte de los hechos sucedidos el 28 de Junio del 2008, los actores y sus acciones, así como todos los hechos que condujeron al país a la crisis que enfrenta en estos momentos. Esta misma Comisión, se encargara de hacer audiencias públicas donde los principales actores mencionados abajo en el documento, describirán de manera pública y abierta las acciones que pudiesen ser delitos constitucionales. La Comisión de la Verdad estará integrada por una terna de jueces escogidos por el poder judicial más representantes del congreso nacional, partidos políticos y ONGs.
La declaración pública de los imputados servirá como juicio oral y por lo tanto le dará el soporte legal para otorgar un indulto limitado a los mismos, ya que la Comisión de la Verdad emitirá una condena por los delitos constitucionales cometidos por los imputados, pero procederá subsecuentemente a otorgar un indulto por los mismos.
3) Propuesta de acción
Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales
Obligaciones
1) Se le permite regresar al ciudadano Jose Manuel Zelaya al país, pero al nomas arribar al país, firma su renuncia a continuar sus aspiraciones a la Presidencia de la República por los meses faltantes de su mandato. Se compromete -sin reservas- a no optar a puestos públicos durante los próximos 10 años y desiste de participar en toda actividad política hasta que el nuevo presidente tome el cargo. Esto implica que el ciudadano Zelaya desiste de promover la cuarta urna, instalar una Asamblea Nacional Constituyente, y de re-elegirse como presidente. Así mismo, el ciudadano Zelaya desiste de toda actividad y expresiones solicitando presión externa y críticas hacia el país.
2) El ciudadano Zelaya declara y confiesa de manera pública los delitos constitucionales cometidos antes de su defenestración el 28 de Junio del 2009 en las audiencias públicas coordinadas por la Comisión de la Verdad. La Comisión de la Verdad emite un fallo condenatorio de culpabilidad. El proceso de audiencia pública, declaración de culpabilidad por el imputado y condena son requisito para cualquier indulto por estos delitos y serán vigiladas por la Comisión de la Verdad creada para estos fines.
3) El ciudadano Zelaya enfrenta la justicia Hondureña por delitos administrativos y penales ante el Ministerio Publico.
4) No se le permite a ningún miembro del gabinete del ciudadano Jose Manuel Zelaya regresar a sus cargos. Estos funcionarios se someten a las mismas obligaciones que las del ciudadano Zelaya y reciben los mismos beneficios.
Por razones practicas, las personas que fueron escogidas durante el gobierno de transición para el Gabinete Presidencial continuaran en su puesto hasta la transferencia de poder al nuevo gobierno en Enero 27 del 2009.
Beneficios
1) El ciudadano Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales, así como su Gabinete, recibirían un indulto limitado a las posibles violaciones constitucionales cometidos durante su administración después de su declaración pública y condena por la Comisión de la Verdad. Este indulto no se extiende a delitos administrativos o penales.
Roberto Micheletti Bain
Obligaciones
1) El ciudadano Micheletti Bain firma su renuncia como Presidente Interino de manera simultánea con la del ciudadano Zelaya. Siguiendo la orden de sucesión constitucional, el Congreso Nacional escoge de manera transitoria hasta Enero del 2010 a la siguiente persona en la sucesión establecida en la constitución para Presidente Interino, en este caso el Magistrado de la Corte Suprema de la República.
2) El ciudadano Micheletti Bain cumple con las mismas obligaciones que el ciudadano Zelaya.
Beneficios
1) El ciudadano Micheletti Bain recibe un indulto limitado a los posibles delitos constitucionales cometidos durante la separación del poder presidencial del ciudadano Zelaya. El indulto no se extiende a delitos administrativos o penales. El indulto se extiende a los demás miembros de su gabinete, bajo las mismas condiciones.
Fuerzas Armadas, Poderes Judiciales y Legislativo
Obligaciones
1) El General Romeo Velasquez interpone su renuncia como Jefe del Estado Mayor conjunto de las Fuerzas Armadas pasando a condición de retiro honroso. Se nombra el sucesor del Jefe del Estado Mayor conjunto a uno de los tres jefes de los cuerpos armados, respetando la sucesión de la ley orgánica de las Fuerzas Armadas
2) El Poder Judicial mantiene la composición actual pero se somete a un proceso de evaluación de procedimientos seguidos antes y durante los sucesos de Junio 28, 2009.
3) El ciudadano Alfredo Saavedra firma su renuncia como presidente del congreso de manera simultánea con los ciudadanos Zelaya y Micheletti. El Congreso Nacional escoge al sucesor del Presidente del Congreso siguiendo las reglas internas y la constitución de la República.
Beneficios
1) Los ciudadanos Romeo Velasquez y Saavedra recibe un indulto limitado a los posibles delitos constitucionales cometidos durante la separación del poder presidencial del ciudadano Zelaya. El indulto no se extiende a delitos administrativos o penales.
2) Los susodichos ciudadanos cumplen con las mismas obligaciones descritas para el ciudadano Zelaya.
Elecciones Generales de Noviembre 2009
1) Las elecciones generales continuaran como lo programado.
2) Como una medida de transparencia y por razones de conveniencia logística, el comando de las Fuerzas Armadas de Honduras pasa de manera temporal, al Tribunal Supremo Electoral y la Junta de Vigilancia un mes antes de las elecciones hasta el día después de las elecciones. Esto es necesario porque las Fuerzas Armadas, como ente garante de la constitución, necesitan prestar la logística necesaria para llevar a cabo las elecciones generales del país.
3) Los candidatos electos durante las elecciones primarias incluyendo a Felicito Avila (Partido Demócrata Cristiano –Social Demócrata), Porfirio Lobo (Partido Nacional), Elvin Santos (Partido Liberal), Carlos H. Reyes (Candidato Independiente), Cesar Ham (Partido Unificación Democrática), Bernard Martinez (Partido Innovación y Unidad de Honduras) serán los que participaran en la elección general del 2009.
Es importante hacerle notar a todos los candidatos a esta elección, que vigilaremos muy de cerca sus propuestas y acciones tanto como candidatos o si son electos a cargos públicos. Nos tienen que demostrar que son “diferentes” a la administración del Ciudadano Zelaya y otras administraciones. Nos queda como obligación a todos los hondureños que somos votantes en el país, a escoger cuidadosamente a todos los candidatos de partidos o candidaturas independientes para la próxima elección. En cierta forma, estos candidatos son una transición a un nuevo sistema político y modo de hacer política en el país.
4) Las elecciones generales serán supervisadas y vigiladas -sin restricción- por observadores de las Naciones Unidas, la Unión Europea, países cooperantes, Transparencia Internacional, Human Rights Watch, Amnistía Internacional, y otros observadores independientes. Observadores de la Organización de Estados Americano no serán aceptados, debido a la percepción imperante en la población hondureña que no es un ente imparcial en sus decisiones en el presente.
Terceros países y organizaciones
Obligaciones
1) Todo tercer país se abstiene de intervenir directa e indirectamente en los asuntos internos del gobierno y de la República de Honduras. Esto es una implementación del principio de no intervención contenido en diferentes acuerdos internacionales.
2) Se hace un llamado a los países pertenecientes al ALBA, especialmente a Venezuela y Cuba, que se abstengan de continuar financiando actividades que interfieran con el proceso de transición constitucional en Honduras. Esto incluye expresiones contrarias a las normas de respeto entre naciones, incluyendo opiniones en políticas internas, amenazas de invasión militar y apoyo logístico a cualquiera de las partes. Este principio de no intervención se extiende a cualquier otro país o bloque político o económico.
3) Se suspende la participación de Honduras en los tratados internacionales de índole política hasta que se de tiempo al gobierno entrante de evaluar la conveniencia de continuar en dichos tratados. Esto ayudaría al país a concentrarse en las necesidades imperantes del país sin distracciones.
4) Como acuerdo de “no intervención” no es vinculante o puede no ser respetado por terceros países, se recomienda que el principio de no intervención y posibles violaciones por terceros sea vigilado directamente por el Consejo de Seguridad de la Naciones Unidas.
No es aceptable ni recomendable que la Organización de Estados Americano (OEA) sea el ente regulador ya que no ha sido efectivo hasta ahora para suprimir (equitativamente) esfuerzos intervencionistas por parte de terceros alineándose con una de las partes (la de Manuel Zelaya Rosales). Además, la OEA en su proclama de Asamblea General, no admite otra salida aparte de la restitución incondicional del Ciudadano Zelaya. Esta última expresión descalifica su intervención directa en proceso de transición contenido en este documento.
Toda persona que haya expresado una opinión condenatoria al régimen de transición ya sea de un organismos internacional, gobierno u organización no gubernamental se abstiene de participar u opinar en el proceso de transición al nuevo gobierno.
En estos momentos críticos para nuestra vida como país independiente debemos continuar tomando las riendas de nuestro propio destino y desechar todo intento de injerencia política y física por parte de países, bloques comerciales y políticos ajenos a nuestros intereses.
Es mi opinión que esta crisis representara un rompimiento del paradigma político del país donde ahora si se cuestionara toda acción hecha por los partidos y dirigentes políticos. Este es el momento de reafirmar nuestro futuro como UNA nación, sin divisiones ni odios, donde todos trabajaremos para el bien común, y como resultado de un debate informado acerca de las opciones políticas y legales. Ya no se tolerara mas, la retorica barata y superficial de nuestros políticos, que explotaba el divisionismo ya sea por la vía del partido, clase social o económica, o cualquier otra. Ahora queremos escuchar ideas y propuestas concretas. Nada más.
Jose Benjamin Falck Zepeda
1) Principios básicos
a) El regreso del ciudadano Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales como Presidente de Honduras aparte de impráctico implicaría un conflicto interno continuo durante los menos de 5 meses que le quedan en su administración. Muy probablemente degenerará en un conflicto divisivo y potencialmente violento que el país no necesita. Este resultado, claramente no deseado, es una consecuencia del conflicto original no resuelto entre el ciudadano Zelaya y su Gabinete, los poderes legislativos y judiciales, y otros sectores del país. El ciudadano Zelaya en todo caso regresaría a un papel meramente decorativo ya que no cuenta con el apoyo de los otros dos poderes del Estado y una mayoría de la población hondureña. Por consiguiente, el regreso de los miembros de su gabinete, tampoco es óptimo ni deseado.
b) La permanencia del ciudadano Roberto Micheletti Bain en la presidencia de la República hasta la transición constitucional programada para Enero 28 del 2010, no es sostenible tampoco, debido a la oposición de organismos internacionales y países que han expresado su condena de la acciones del 28 de Junio del 2009. Esto condenaría a la nación a un aislamiento y presiones internacionales que difícilmente podemos sostener dada la situación económica y fiscal del país después del explicito deterioro de nuestro presupuesto, el despilfarro y franco saqueo de las finanzas públicas durante la administración del Ciudadano Zelaya y otras.
c) Toda acción tomada debe estar enmarcada dentro de la Constitución y el respeto de las leyes de la República independiente de Honduras.
d) Nadie está encima de la Constitución y de las leyes.
e) Las elecciones generales en Noviembre del 2009 ni la transición de poder después de este proceso en Enero del 2010, no son negociables ni postergables.
f) Se debe maximizar el beneficio del país, a pesar de sacrificar beneficios personales o de partido.
2) Instituciones e Institucionalidad
a) Se creara una Junta Supervisora de Vigilancia del proceso de transición que funcionara hasta la toma de posesión presidencial en Enero del 2010.
b) Se creara una Comisión de la Verdad que investigara y proveerá un reporte de los hechos sucedidos el 28 de Junio del 2008, los actores y sus acciones, así como todos los hechos que condujeron al país a la crisis que enfrenta en estos momentos. Esta misma Comisión, se encargara de hacer audiencias públicas donde los principales actores mencionados abajo en el documento, describirán de manera pública y abierta las acciones que pudiesen ser delitos constitucionales. La Comisión de la Verdad estará integrada por una terna de jueces escogidos por el poder judicial más representantes del congreso nacional, partidos políticos y ONGs.
La declaración pública de los imputados servirá como juicio oral y por lo tanto le dará el soporte legal para otorgar un indulto limitado a los mismos, ya que la Comisión de la Verdad emitirá una condena por los delitos constitucionales cometidos por los imputados, pero procederá subsecuentemente a otorgar un indulto por los mismos.
3) Propuesta de acción
Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales
Obligaciones
1) Se le permite regresar al ciudadano Jose Manuel Zelaya al país, pero al nomas arribar al país, firma su renuncia a continuar sus aspiraciones a la Presidencia de la República por los meses faltantes de su mandato. Se compromete -sin reservas- a no optar a puestos públicos durante los próximos 10 años y desiste de participar en toda actividad política hasta que el nuevo presidente tome el cargo. Esto implica que el ciudadano Zelaya desiste de promover la cuarta urna, instalar una Asamblea Nacional Constituyente, y de re-elegirse como presidente. Así mismo, el ciudadano Zelaya desiste de toda actividad y expresiones solicitando presión externa y críticas hacia el país.
2) El ciudadano Zelaya declara y confiesa de manera pública los delitos constitucionales cometidos antes de su defenestración el 28 de Junio del 2009 en las audiencias públicas coordinadas por la Comisión de la Verdad. La Comisión de la Verdad emite un fallo condenatorio de culpabilidad. El proceso de audiencia pública, declaración de culpabilidad por el imputado y condena son requisito para cualquier indulto por estos delitos y serán vigiladas por la Comisión de la Verdad creada para estos fines.
3) El ciudadano Zelaya enfrenta la justicia Hondureña por delitos administrativos y penales ante el Ministerio Publico.
4) No se le permite a ningún miembro del gabinete del ciudadano Jose Manuel Zelaya regresar a sus cargos. Estos funcionarios se someten a las mismas obligaciones que las del ciudadano Zelaya y reciben los mismos beneficios.
Por razones practicas, las personas que fueron escogidas durante el gobierno de transición para el Gabinete Presidencial continuaran en su puesto hasta la transferencia de poder al nuevo gobierno en Enero 27 del 2009.
Beneficios
1) El ciudadano Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales, así como su Gabinete, recibirían un indulto limitado a las posibles violaciones constitucionales cometidos durante su administración después de su declaración pública y condena por la Comisión de la Verdad. Este indulto no se extiende a delitos administrativos o penales.
Roberto Micheletti Bain
Obligaciones
1) El ciudadano Micheletti Bain firma su renuncia como Presidente Interino de manera simultánea con la del ciudadano Zelaya. Siguiendo la orden de sucesión constitucional, el Congreso Nacional escoge de manera transitoria hasta Enero del 2010 a la siguiente persona en la sucesión establecida en la constitución para Presidente Interino, en este caso el Magistrado de la Corte Suprema de la República.
2) El ciudadano Micheletti Bain cumple con las mismas obligaciones que el ciudadano Zelaya.
Beneficios
1) El ciudadano Micheletti Bain recibe un indulto limitado a los posibles delitos constitucionales cometidos durante la separación del poder presidencial del ciudadano Zelaya. El indulto no se extiende a delitos administrativos o penales. El indulto se extiende a los demás miembros de su gabinete, bajo las mismas condiciones.
Fuerzas Armadas, Poderes Judiciales y Legislativo
Obligaciones
1) El General Romeo Velasquez interpone su renuncia como Jefe del Estado Mayor conjunto de las Fuerzas Armadas pasando a condición de retiro honroso. Se nombra el sucesor del Jefe del Estado Mayor conjunto a uno de los tres jefes de los cuerpos armados, respetando la sucesión de la ley orgánica de las Fuerzas Armadas
2) El Poder Judicial mantiene la composición actual pero se somete a un proceso de evaluación de procedimientos seguidos antes y durante los sucesos de Junio 28, 2009.
3) El ciudadano Alfredo Saavedra firma su renuncia como presidente del congreso de manera simultánea con los ciudadanos Zelaya y Micheletti. El Congreso Nacional escoge al sucesor del Presidente del Congreso siguiendo las reglas internas y la constitución de la República.
Beneficios
1) Los ciudadanos Romeo Velasquez y Saavedra recibe un indulto limitado a los posibles delitos constitucionales cometidos durante la separación del poder presidencial del ciudadano Zelaya. El indulto no se extiende a delitos administrativos o penales.
2) Los susodichos ciudadanos cumplen con las mismas obligaciones descritas para el ciudadano Zelaya.
Elecciones Generales de Noviembre 2009
1) Las elecciones generales continuaran como lo programado.
2) Como una medida de transparencia y por razones de conveniencia logística, el comando de las Fuerzas Armadas de Honduras pasa de manera temporal, al Tribunal Supremo Electoral y la Junta de Vigilancia un mes antes de las elecciones hasta el día después de las elecciones. Esto es necesario porque las Fuerzas Armadas, como ente garante de la constitución, necesitan prestar la logística necesaria para llevar a cabo las elecciones generales del país.
3) Los candidatos electos durante las elecciones primarias incluyendo a Felicito Avila (Partido Demócrata Cristiano –Social Demócrata), Porfirio Lobo (Partido Nacional), Elvin Santos (Partido Liberal), Carlos H. Reyes (Candidato Independiente), Cesar Ham (Partido Unificación Democrática), Bernard Martinez (Partido Innovación y Unidad de Honduras) serán los que participaran en la elección general del 2009.
Es importante hacerle notar a todos los candidatos a esta elección, que vigilaremos muy de cerca sus propuestas y acciones tanto como candidatos o si son electos a cargos públicos. Nos tienen que demostrar que son “diferentes” a la administración del Ciudadano Zelaya y otras administraciones. Nos queda como obligación a todos los hondureños que somos votantes en el país, a escoger cuidadosamente a todos los candidatos de partidos o candidaturas independientes para la próxima elección. En cierta forma, estos candidatos son una transición a un nuevo sistema político y modo de hacer política en el país.
4) Las elecciones generales serán supervisadas y vigiladas -sin restricción- por observadores de las Naciones Unidas, la Unión Europea, países cooperantes, Transparencia Internacional, Human Rights Watch, Amnistía Internacional, y otros observadores independientes. Observadores de la Organización de Estados Americano no serán aceptados, debido a la percepción imperante en la población hondureña que no es un ente imparcial en sus decisiones en el presente.
Terceros países y organizaciones
Obligaciones
1) Todo tercer país se abstiene de intervenir directa e indirectamente en los asuntos internos del gobierno y de la República de Honduras. Esto es una implementación del principio de no intervención contenido en diferentes acuerdos internacionales.
2) Se hace un llamado a los países pertenecientes al ALBA, especialmente a Venezuela y Cuba, que se abstengan de continuar financiando actividades que interfieran con el proceso de transición constitucional en Honduras. Esto incluye expresiones contrarias a las normas de respeto entre naciones, incluyendo opiniones en políticas internas, amenazas de invasión militar y apoyo logístico a cualquiera de las partes. Este principio de no intervención se extiende a cualquier otro país o bloque político o económico.
3) Se suspende la participación de Honduras en los tratados internacionales de índole política hasta que se de tiempo al gobierno entrante de evaluar la conveniencia de continuar en dichos tratados. Esto ayudaría al país a concentrarse en las necesidades imperantes del país sin distracciones.
4) Como acuerdo de “no intervención” no es vinculante o puede no ser respetado por terceros países, se recomienda que el principio de no intervención y posibles violaciones por terceros sea vigilado directamente por el Consejo de Seguridad de la Naciones Unidas.
No es aceptable ni recomendable que la Organización de Estados Americano (OEA) sea el ente regulador ya que no ha sido efectivo hasta ahora para suprimir (equitativamente) esfuerzos intervencionistas por parte de terceros alineándose con una de las partes (la de Manuel Zelaya Rosales). Además, la OEA en su proclama de Asamblea General, no admite otra salida aparte de la restitución incondicional del Ciudadano Zelaya. Esta última expresión descalifica su intervención directa en proceso de transición contenido en este documento.
Toda persona que haya expresado una opinión condenatoria al régimen de transición ya sea de un organismos internacional, gobierno u organización no gubernamental se abstiene de participar u opinar en el proceso de transición al nuevo gobierno.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Background on a Crisis: Unacceptable unconditional return (Part 4 of 4)
At this point, an unconditional restoration of Mr. Zelaya to the Presidency is not a practical, feasible or even legal solution to the crisis at hand. Mr. Zelaya has to respond still to the mounting list of constitutional and legal charges for corruption and mismanagement in Honduran courts.
A return of Mr. Zelaya as President of Honduras will be catastrophic, especially, if no conditions are imposed on Mr. Zelaya in order to ensure the general elections in November, end his crusade for a National Constitutional Assembly and thus guarantee our current Constitution, the prohibition for his re-election, and to curtail the likely repression to those persons that lead the legal procedure to depose him.
Furthermore, during the 4 months left until national elections, and the additional 2 months until the new President officially takes over, Mr. Zelaya will face the continued opposition of 123 of the 128 members of Congress and the significant opposition of a large share of the population.
If Mr. Zelaya is allowed to return as President, this will (certainly) empower him to dissolve our constitution, Congress, and will seal our fate as a democratic republic by transforming us into a dictatorial regime faithful only to Venezuela, Cuba and other “like-minded allies”. This will forever suppress the will of the Honduran people who said “no more…not one day more…” to Mr. Zelaya.
This lesson in democratic expression by the legal constitutional powers in Honduras will eventually be understood by all, if supported by our friends and allies. In fact, the only viable alternative at this point is the respect of the “no intervention” principle and thus allow the democratic process to continue in Honduras un-interrupted so that we hold elections in November and have a peaceful transition to a newly elected president in January.
A return of Mr. Zelaya as President of Honduras will be catastrophic, especially, if no conditions are imposed on Mr. Zelaya in order to ensure the general elections in November, end his crusade for a National Constitutional Assembly and thus guarantee our current Constitution, the prohibition for his re-election, and to curtail the likely repression to those persons that lead the legal procedure to depose him.
Furthermore, during the 4 months left until national elections, and the additional 2 months until the new President officially takes over, Mr. Zelaya will face the continued opposition of 123 of the 128 members of Congress and the significant opposition of a large share of the population.
If Mr. Zelaya is allowed to return as President, this will (certainly) empower him to dissolve our constitution, Congress, and will seal our fate as a democratic republic by transforming us into a dictatorial regime faithful only to Venezuela, Cuba and other “like-minded allies”. This will forever suppress the will of the Honduran people who said “no more…not one day more…” to Mr. Zelaya.
This lesson in democratic expression by the legal constitutional powers in Honduras will eventually be understood by all, if supported by our friends and allies. In fact, the only viable alternative at this point is the respect of the “no intervention” principle and thus allow the democratic process to continue in Honduras un-interrupted so that we hold elections in November and have a peaceful transition to a newly elected president in January.
Background: Zelaya and his constitutional crimes ( Part 3 of 4)
Drafters carefully crafted our 1982 constitution in order to avoid the type of behavior shown by “Dictators-to-be” such as Mr. Zelaya. The intention of article 239 of not allowing a re-election, was to prevent the incessant coup d’états and the rise of the “Caudillo” that characterized a significant part of our 20th century history.
Important to note that this same constitution can be changed almost in its entirety -only 7 of the 378 articles are considered unchangeable- through a somewhat tortuous procedure, designed of course to avoid the tyranny of the few and those pursuing personal interests. This fact also breaks another argumentation posed by Mr. Zelaya Rosales that the constitution was at the center of the poverty problems in Honduras.
We add to this list of constitutional crimes, the fact that he had aligned himself with Cuba, Venezuela and to other states that have been condemned as rogue terrorist state such as Iran. Of course entering into commercial or diplomatic relations with any country is not a crime in itself – not asking for a Congressional examination and ratification of these “agreements” after they were signed, is indeed a crime.
Other constitutional and common crimes commited by Mr. Zelaya and his Cabinet include: not submitting a national budget for 2009, his inability to explain where the funds for the “Poverty Reduction Strategy” and other public funds went. We can also point out the corruption scandals that shook his administration, the complete deterioration of schools, roads, hospitals, and the shocking levels of poverty in the country, which by the way had increased over his administration; then we start to see why a large share of Hondurans citizens just wants Mr. Zelaya to go away.
Of these crimes, the one that we cannot forgive is the division and continual class fights deeply enhanced by Mr. Zelaya actions and words. After all, we do need to go back and examine carefully all civilian and military administrations before that of Mr. Zelaya to truly charge them with many of the crimes we are now charging Mr. Zelaya, but this does not mean that this will become an excuse to move on and forget Mr. Zelaya’s crimes and misdemeanors.
Important to note that this same constitution can be changed almost in its entirety -only 7 of the 378 articles are considered unchangeable- through a somewhat tortuous procedure, designed of course to avoid the tyranny of the few and those pursuing personal interests. This fact also breaks another argumentation posed by Mr. Zelaya Rosales that the constitution was at the center of the poverty problems in Honduras.
We add to this list of constitutional crimes, the fact that he had aligned himself with Cuba, Venezuela and to other states that have been condemned as rogue terrorist state such as Iran. Of course entering into commercial or diplomatic relations with any country is not a crime in itself – not asking for a Congressional examination and ratification of these “agreements” after they were signed, is indeed a crime.
Other constitutional and common crimes commited by Mr. Zelaya and his Cabinet include: not submitting a national budget for 2009, his inability to explain where the funds for the “Poverty Reduction Strategy” and other public funds went. We can also point out the corruption scandals that shook his administration, the complete deterioration of schools, roads, hospitals, and the shocking levels of poverty in the country, which by the way had increased over his administration; then we start to see why a large share of Hondurans citizens just wants Mr. Zelaya to go away.
Of these crimes, the one that we cannot forgive is the division and continual class fights deeply enhanced by Mr. Zelaya actions and words. After all, we do need to go back and examine carefully all civilian and military administrations before that of Mr. Zelaya to truly charge them with many of the crimes we are now charging Mr. Zelaya, but this does not mean that this will become an excuse to move on and forget Mr. Zelaya’s crimes and misdemeanors.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Background: Zelaya a self-proclaimed champion of the poor, a crook, or another run-of-the-mill dictator in the making (Part 2 of 4)
We understand that internationally the immediate reaction to the legal dismissal of the Honduran president Mr. Manuel Zelaya Rosales, is to adopt the point of view that this event was a run-of-the-mill coup d’état. However, this judgment is largely based on observations of the one day events that lead to Mr. Zelaya Rosales expulsion from Honduras and subsequent influence by parties with a vested interested in denying our rights as a democratic and free nation. Furthermore, this judgment completely disregards the previous legal proceedings that had already declared illegal and unconstitutional, including that of the so called “popular consultation or survey” and all the efforts by Mr. Zelaya Rosales and some members of his Cabinet to dissolve the Honduras Congress and to declare null and void our Constitution. These efforts are clearly illegal infractions that expose violators to legal charges of treason.
We recognize that in his speeches Mr. Zelaya Rosales presents himself as the “Champion of the Poor” and as the (still) legal president of Honduras. This portrayal completely ignores the legal decisions by the Supreme Court and the National Congress to dismiss him from his position as President of the Country, as Mr. Zelaya Rosales had illegally disregarded the condemnation of the other two constitutional powers repeated times. Furthermore, Mr. Zelaya Rosales had already changed the status of the June 28 consultation at the last minute, to one that became legally binding to the outcome of such exercise, with the further dissolving of our Congress and calling for a new “National Constitutional Assembly” that would rewrite the constitution. In fact, Mr. Zelaya Rosales, reaffirmed his intent of violating the Constitution by publishing a presidential decree in the official newpaper “La Gaceta” (see a copy in http://www.proceso.hn/2009/06/28/Pol%C3%ADtica/Decreto.PCM.convocando/14468.html)
The Honduran Supreme Court declared the process described in the Presidential Decree as illegal. This decision stem from a case brief filed by the Honduran Attorney General. This result agrees with other case filed with different aspect of the “consultation” in that all declare the process illegal and unconstitutional. Therefore, the competent courts ordered the “public consultation” to be halted and the voting materials destroyed at once. The voting materials were stored in the Honduras Air Force base in Tegucigalpa, as they were shipped a few days before from Venezuela. Mr. Zelaya and its supporters have not explained the reason why the boxes and ballots came from Venezuela in the first place. The (still) President Zelaya Rosales, disregarded the Supreme Court resolution, and while accompanied by a violent mob violated the integrity of the high security Air Force installations in Tegucigalpa, and took the boxes and ballots to the Presidential Palace. The image of Mr. Zelaya riding a public transfportation bus as if a "knight in shining armor" leading the mob, is so surreal it belongs in a Garcia Marquez book.
The night of Friday June 26, Mr. Zelaya finally admitted his intentions for re-election. Mr. Zelaya Rosales, fully completed the not-so-obscure (anymore) intentions “I will not seek reelection…..unless asked by my people”.
It is important to note that the Honduran Armed Forces received the command of intervening in order to carry out the judicial orders and the will of the National Congress and Supreme Courts. In the words of the political analyst, Margarita Montes the armed forces intervention to depose a democratic and constitutionally elected President, were to restore the “state based on the rule of law” rather than eliminating the “state based on the rule of law”.
As you can now see, these events happened over a long period and were not spur of the moment. This outcome is the results of a long period of tolerance of the evermore erratic and illegal behavior shown by Mr. Zelaya, and a strict support of Honduran law. The actions of the legally deposed president Zelaya were truly to destabilize the country, to break the constitutional order and to change the constitution that would allow him to be re-elected, probably as lifetime dictator. This of course would completely align himself to other members of the ALBA treaty including Venezuela and Cuba, and to a lesser degree Nicaragua, Ecuador and Bolivia.
In essence, the actions of June 28, 2009 represented a major break with our erratic history respecting the rule of law in Honduras in favor of moving towards a true democratic and pluralistic society. A lot remains unresolved, especially to truly address our scandalous poverty and insecurity levels, but that will not happened with the demagoguery, mis-management and corruption shown by Mr. Zelaya and his band of immediate supporters (known as “the patricians”). Our ills will be resolved with intelligent and efficient plans that work to provide solutions.
Continues...
We recognize that in his speeches Mr. Zelaya Rosales presents himself as the “Champion of the Poor” and as the (still) legal president of Honduras. This portrayal completely ignores the legal decisions by the Supreme Court and the National Congress to dismiss him from his position as President of the Country, as Mr. Zelaya Rosales had illegally disregarded the condemnation of the other two constitutional powers repeated times. Furthermore, Mr. Zelaya Rosales had already changed the status of the June 28 consultation at the last minute, to one that became legally binding to the outcome of such exercise, with the further dissolving of our Congress and calling for a new “National Constitutional Assembly” that would rewrite the constitution. In fact, Mr. Zelaya Rosales, reaffirmed his intent of violating the Constitution by publishing a presidential decree in the official newpaper “La Gaceta” (see a copy in http://www.proceso.hn/2009/06/28/Pol%C3%ADtica/Decreto.PCM.convocando/14468.html)
The Honduran Supreme Court declared the process described in the Presidential Decree as illegal. This decision stem from a case brief filed by the Honduran Attorney General. This result agrees with other case filed with different aspect of the “consultation” in that all declare the process illegal and unconstitutional. Therefore, the competent courts ordered the “public consultation” to be halted and the voting materials destroyed at once. The voting materials were stored in the Honduras Air Force base in Tegucigalpa, as they were shipped a few days before from Venezuela. Mr. Zelaya and its supporters have not explained the reason why the boxes and ballots came from Venezuela in the first place. The (still) President Zelaya Rosales, disregarded the Supreme Court resolution, and while accompanied by a violent mob violated the integrity of the high security Air Force installations in Tegucigalpa, and took the boxes and ballots to the Presidential Palace. The image of Mr. Zelaya riding a public transfportation bus as if a "knight in shining armor" leading the mob, is so surreal it belongs in a Garcia Marquez book.
The night of Friday June 26, Mr. Zelaya finally admitted his intentions for re-election. Mr. Zelaya Rosales, fully completed the not-so-obscure (anymore) intentions “I will not seek reelection…..unless asked by my people”.
It is important to note that the Honduran Armed Forces received the command of intervening in order to carry out the judicial orders and the will of the National Congress and Supreme Courts. In the words of the political analyst, Margarita Montes the armed forces intervention to depose a democratic and constitutionally elected President, were to restore the “state based on the rule of law” rather than eliminating the “state based on the rule of law”.
As you can now see, these events happened over a long period and were not spur of the moment. This outcome is the results of a long period of tolerance of the evermore erratic and illegal behavior shown by Mr. Zelaya, and a strict support of Honduran law. The actions of the legally deposed president Zelaya were truly to destabilize the country, to break the constitutional order and to change the constitution that would allow him to be re-elected, probably as lifetime dictator. This of course would completely align himself to other members of the ALBA treaty including Venezuela and Cuba, and to a lesser degree Nicaragua, Ecuador and Bolivia.
In essence, the actions of June 28, 2009 represented a major break with our erratic history respecting the rule of law in Honduras in favor of moving towards a true democratic and pluralistic society. A lot remains unresolved, especially to truly address our scandalous poverty and insecurity levels, but that will not happened with the demagoguery, mis-management and corruption shown by Mr. Zelaya and his band of immediate supporters (known as “the patricians”). Our ills will be resolved with intelligent and efficient plans that work to provide solutions.
Continues...
Some background on the transition process in Honduras (Part 1 of 4)
I see with deep sadness and preoccupation the recent developments in my country Honduras. My sense of despair increased after observing the international reaction including that of the United States of America, and the Assemblies at the Organization of American States and the United Nations. These parties made an unjustified quick judgment and condemnation upon Honduras without hearing all stakeholders’ opinions and before knowing all the pertinent facts that lead to the constitutional removal of Mr. Manuel Zelaya Rosales as President of Honduras on June 28, 2009.
Countries jumped on the bandwagon set in motion by a small group of well connected and influential individuals heading the assemblies at the OAS and UN, by condemning the justified removal of Mr. Zelaya and our sovereign right as a nation to choose our leader by labeling it as a coup d’état. This left very little options for other countries to maneuver and make informed decisions.
The fact that condemnations to Honduran actions passed by OAS and the United Nations General Assembly and individual countries did not bother to understand the context, while omitting the causal motives for this outcome is indeed worrisome. The process followed by these entities unjustly discriminates against the will of constitutionally appointed bodies and actors such as the Honduran National Congress, the Supreme Court, Supreme Electoral Tribunal, Tribunal of Administrative Issues, The Human Rights Commissioner and a majority of the Honduran population.
We, the majority of the Honduran population, demand respect for the Constitution, democracy and freedom from becoming a puppet or satellite state of Venezuela and Cuba. Let us be clear about this, as this is in the end what is at stake: our survival as an independent and democratic Republic, where “checks and balances” are the norm rather than the exception.
Continues...
Countries jumped on the bandwagon set in motion by a small group of well connected and influential individuals heading the assemblies at the OAS and UN, by condemning the justified removal of Mr. Zelaya and our sovereign right as a nation to choose our leader by labeling it as a coup d’état. This left very little options for other countries to maneuver and make informed decisions.
The fact that condemnations to Honduran actions passed by OAS and the United Nations General Assembly and individual countries did not bother to understand the context, while omitting the causal motives for this outcome is indeed worrisome. The process followed by these entities unjustly discriminates against the will of constitutionally appointed bodies and actors such as the Honduran National Congress, the Supreme Court, Supreme Electoral Tribunal, Tribunal of Administrative Issues, The Human Rights Commissioner and a majority of the Honduran population.
We, the majority of the Honduran population, demand respect for the Constitution, democracy and freedom from becoming a puppet or satellite state of Venezuela and Cuba. Let us be clear about this, as this is in the end what is at stake: our survival as an independent and democratic Republic, where “checks and balances” are the norm rather than the exception.
Continues...
Explanation why the Honduran November 2009 elections are valid
Honduras will go to general elections November 2009. Some countries, including the US, have indicated that they would not recognize these elections. The following arguments refute this opinion, based perhaps on a generalized ignorance of Honduran law, political history and/or stakes that seek to deny us the right as Honduras citizens to pick our own destiny as a democratic republic, OR some ulterior motive.
1) The “Honduran Elections Law” indicates that the “Supreme Electoral Tribunal” makes the calls for all elections. The President of Honduras has no role whatsoever implementing elections, expect for making budget transfers to fund elections. Mel Zelaya did not do this in 2009 perhaps anticipating that elections would not happen.
2) The “Honduran National Congress” selects and approves the membership of the “Supreme Electoral Tribunal”. Current members were elected in 2008 during the mandate of deposed president Zelaya.
3) The “Supreme Electoral Tribunal” makes the formal call for primary elections following a strict calendar. Primary elections for political parties were held in 2008 during Zelaya's government, elected candidates for each of the five traditional political parties plus one independent candidacy. The Organization of American States and other independent observers endorsed the primary elections as substantially complying with international norms for transparency and validity.
4) The “Supreme Electoral Tribunal” made the call by publishing in the official government newspaper “La Gaceta” for general elections on May 29, 2009. This is a month before former president Zelaya was deposed.
5) During and after the constitutional succession of June 28, 2009 nothing changed that could affect the elections process. The following organizations and processes remain in place and are operating according to Honduras law:
• Supreme Electoral Tribunal
• National Persons Registry
• Political Parties
• Candidates from traditional political and independent parties
• Elections calendar
7) The “Supreme Electoral Tribunal” has already ratified all six candidates and even followed the process for selecting candidate position in the presidential ballot.
8) The “National Persons Registry” has cleaned the national registry as much as possible with support from international cooperation agencies.
9) The elections will be open to all officially accredited observers, both national and domestic, who will observe the development of such elections.
10) Any claim that the current transition government will unduly pressure Honduran population and/or influence the electoral outcome, or ensure Mr. Micheletti staying in power, is plain wrong. Mr. Micheletti , the transition president, belongs to the same political party as the deposed president Zelaya and thus it is highly unlikely that it will negatively impact his own party, certainly if he tries to favor his own party, then the other parties’ representatives will denounce him thus ensuring that it does not happen.
Certainly, it would be inconceivable that Mr. Micheletti will favor the opposition party, considering the long adversarial history between both parties. Any attempt by Mr. Micheletti to remain in power is not acceptable to most Honduran citizens and will not be allowed to proceed.
The November 2009 elections will proceed independently of the turmoil brought about by the legally sanctioned separation of deposed president Zelaya. Furthermore, the claim that free and transparent elections cannot be held within the scope of a transition and/or de facto regime face our own national history where a military regime held elections in 1981 and civilian power took over in 1982. Notwithstanding Mr. Zelaya and other actors opinion, this type of election has been held in other parts of the world.
In conclusion, there is no legal or ethical reason for any country to question or doubt the validity of the November 2009 elections to be held in Honduras.
1) The “Honduran Elections Law” indicates that the “Supreme Electoral Tribunal” makes the calls for all elections. The President of Honduras has no role whatsoever implementing elections, expect for making budget transfers to fund elections. Mel Zelaya did not do this in 2009 perhaps anticipating that elections would not happen.
2) The “Honduran National Congress” selects and approves the membership of the “Supreme Electoral Tribunal”. Current members were elected in 2008 during the mandate of deposed president Zelaya.
3) The “Supreme Electoral Tribunal” makes the formal call for primary elections following a strict calendar. Primary elections for political parties were held in 2008 during Zelaya's government, elected candidates for each of the five traditional political parties plus one independent candidacy. The Organization of American States and other independent observers endorsed the primary elections as substantially complying with international norms for transparency and validity.
4) The “Supreme Electoral Tribunal” made the call by publishing in the official government newspaper “La Gaceta” for general elections on May 29, 2009. This is a month before former president Zelaya was deposed.
5) During and after the constitutional succession of June 28, 2009 nothing changed that could affect the elections process. The following organizations and processes remain in place and are operating according to Honduras law:
• Supreme Electoral Tribunal
• National Persons Registry
• Political Parties
• Candidates from traditional political and independent parties
• Elections calendar
7) The “Supreme Electoral Tribunal” has already ratified all six candidates and even followed the process for selecting candidate position in the presidential ballot.
8) The “National Persons Registry” has cleaned the national registry as much as possible with support from international cooperation agencies.
9) The elections will be open to all officially accredited observers, both national and domestic, who will observe the development of such elections.
10) Any claim that the current transition government will unduly pressure Honduran population and/or influence the electoral outcome, or ensure Mr. Micheletti staying in power, is plain wrong. Mr. Micheletti , the transition president, belongs to the same political party as the deposed president Zelaya and thus it is highly unlikely that it will negatively impact his own party, certainly if he tries to favor his own party, then the other parties’ representatives will denounce him thus ensuring that it does not happen.
Certainly, it would be inconceivable that Mr. Micheletti will favor the opposition party, considering the long adversarial history between both parties. Any attempt by Mr. Micheletti to remain in power is not acceptable to most Honduran citizens and will not be allowed to proceed.
The November 2009 elections will proceed independently of the turmoil brought about by the legally sanctioned separation of deposed president Zelaya. Furthermore, the claim that free and transparent elections cannot be held within the scope of a transition and/or de facto regime face our own national history where a military regime held elections in 1981 and civilian power took over in 1982. Notwithstanding Mr. Zelaya and other actors opinion, this type of election has been held in other parts of the world.
In conclusion, there is no legal or ethical reason for any country to question or doubt the validity of the November 2009 elections to be held in Honduras.
A bit about myself
Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I am a romantic / realist. I believe that things can be fixed in my country (my romantic side) but realize that are many limitations to what can be done (my realist side).
I believe that the problems we face are our own creation. I don't believe that anybody else is responsible of the mess we have created in our beloved Honduras. No more whining nor blaming the "gringos of this world" for our lack of growth, development or the severe poverty problems we have. I gravitate to the crowd that thinks we should take advantage of the "gringos of this world" and use as much possible, the good things they have created or have. I certainly do not agree with the crowd that thinks the reason we are not the country we should be is because the "gringos" have exploited us.
Well, the later does not mean that countries have not used force (military or economic) to control the destinies of other countries. From colonialism to post-modern imperialism, countries have tried, and in most case miserably failed to create nations, mostly due to their own dreams of central planning, ignorance about the conquered countries and sheer incompetence. What I meant in my previous paragraph is that we have allowed others to steal our national soul -probably not even started to define one- and plundered our sense of nation. We have allowed others to dictate us what we should do, rather than us creating our own destiny.
I believe that there are no silver bullets nor magical elixirs to the troubles Honduras has right now. I have grown increasingly skeptical of many of the complex plans and (unrealistic) schemes cooked up by international aid organizations and other think tanks, including my own. I do believe in hard work, accountability, transparency, excellence, and developing our own way to move forward.
I believe that the problems we face are our own creation. I don't believe that anybody else is responsible of the mess we have created in our beloved Honduras. No more whining nor blaming the "gringos of this world" for our lack of growth, development or the severe poverty problems we have. I gravitate to the crowd that thinks we should take advantage of the "gringos of this world" and use as much possible, the good things they have created or have. I certainly do not agree with the crowd that thinks the reason we are not the country we should be is because the "gringos" have exploited us.
Well, the later does not mean that countries have not used force (military or economic) to control the destinies of other countries. From colonialism to post-modern imperialism, countries have tried, and in most case miserably failed to create nations, mostly due to their own dreams of central planning, ignorance about the conquered countries and sheer incompetence. What I meant in my previous paragraph is that we have allowed others to steal our national soul -probably not even started to define one- and plundered our sense of nation. We have allowed others to dictate us what we should do, rather than us creating our own destiny.
I believe that there are no silver bullets nor magical elixirs to the troubles Honduras has right now. I have grown increasingly skeptical of many of the complex plans and (unrealistic) schemes cooked up by international aid organizations and other think tanks, including my own. I do believe in hard work, accountability, transparency, excellence, and developing our own way to move forward.
Bienvenidos / Welcome
Welcome to my Blog!!!
Here I will discuss agriculture, politics, poverty reduction strategies, growth, and anything that crosses my mind; which I believe important to my country Honduras. Most of the time I will write in English, others in Spanish, but always of my country.
Honduras is now in critical juncture where it needs to decide whether it wants to become a country that took advantage of the debt forgiveness mechanism and funds available for the "Poverty Reduction Strategies", or become a failed country with a bleak future. We still have time, if we decide to do things the right way. There is no magical medicine and nobody has all the answers, so lets take one issue at a a time and then have the will to do the right thing. So, let's sit back and relax, and let's enjoy the ride...
Jose Falck Zepeda
Bienvenido a mi Blog!!!
Aquí discutire agricultura, política, estrategias de reducción de la pobreza, desarrollo y cualquier cosa que me cruce por la mente y que crea sea importante para mi país, Honduras. La mayoría del tiempo escribire en ingles, otras en español, pero siempre de mi país.
Honduras esta una coyuntura critica donde necesita decidir convertirse en un país que tomo ventaja de los mecanismos de reducción de la pobreza y de los fondos disponibles para la "Estrategia de Reducción de la Pobreza," o el convertirse en un país fallido y con un futuro incierto. Todavía estamos a tiempo, si tomamos las decisiones correctas. No hay medicinas mágicas aparte que nadie tiene todas las respuestas, tomemos un asunto a la vez y tengamos la voluntad de hacer lo correcto. De modo que, sentemos nos y disfrutemos de esta odisea!!!
Jose Falck Zepeda
Here I will discuss agriculture, politics, poverty reduction strategies, growth, and anything that crosses my mind; which I believe important to my country Honduras. Most of the time I will write in English, others in Spanish, but always of my country.
Honduras is now in critical juncture where it needs to decide whether it wants to become a country that took advantage of the debt forgiveness mechanism and funds available for the "Poverty Reduction Strategies", or become a failed country with a bleak future. We still have time, if we decide to do things the right way. There is no magical medicine and nobody has all the answers, so lets take one issue at a a time and then have the will to do the right thing. So, let's sit back and relax, and let's enjoy the ride...
Jose Falck Zepeda
Bienvenido a mi Blog!!!
Aquí discutire agricultura, política, estrategias de reducción de la pobreza, desarrollo y cualquier cosa que me cruce por la mente y que crea sea importante para mi país, Honduras. La mayoría del tiempo escribire en ingles, otras en español, pero siempre de mi país.
Honduras esta una coyuntura critica donde necesita decidir convertirse en un país que tomo ventaja de los mecanismos de reducción de la pobreza y de los fondos disponibles para la "Estrategia de Reducción de la Pobreza," o el convertirse en un país fallido y con un futuro incierto. Todavía estamos a tiempo, si tomamos las decisiones correctas. No hay medicinas mágicas aparte que nadie tiene todas las respuestas, tomemos un asunto a la vez y tengamos la voluntad de hacer lo correcto. De modo que, sentemos nos y disfrutemos de esta odisea!!!
Jose Falck Zepeda
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