Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy
On The Crisis In
Honduras
July 8, 2009
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I want to speak
briefly about the current political crisis in Honduras. Vermont
and Honduras have had a long, close relationship through the Partners of
the Americas, and many Vermonters regularly travel to Honduras to engage
in health care and other humanitarian and development work in rural
communities.
Last week a lawfully elected President - Manuel Zelaya
- was forcibly removed from office and flown to a neighboring country by
the Honduran military. The military and the Supreme Court
apparently believed that President Zelaya was acting in a manner that
was contrary to the Honduran Constitution. While such an
accusation is troubling, military coups cannot be condoned, particularly
when Honduras’ Constitution contains provisions to handle such concerns
-- impeachment, for one.
The sooner the Honduran military
reverses course and allows President Zelaya to return the better it will
be for Honduras and all of Central America. He has pledged to
leave office at the end of his term, unlike other Latin American leaders
who seem to believe constitutions are to be amended with the stroke of a
pen so they can remain in office. When President Zelaya returns,
if there is credible evidence that he broke laws, he should be held
accountable in accordance with the laws of the country.
While I condemn the actions of the Honduran military I applaud the
efforts of the Organization of American States, with the support of the
Obama Administration, to defuse this situation diplomatically.
Removing Honduras’ membership and beginning to impose sanctions in
concert with widespread international condemnation is the appropriate
response.
We should also recognize that the people of Honduras
appear to be deeply divided over President Zelaya. Rural Hondurans
in particular have been dissatisfied with his performance as President.
When he returns to office I hope he reconsiders his priorities and
focuses his efforts on improving the lives of the people of Honduras who
are most in need of the government’s assistance.
# # # # #
