The Pentagon is behind the coup d'état in Honduras- with or without the approval of the White House?
By Eva Golinger.
When President Manual Zelaya of Honduras was brutally kidnapped from the presidential residence in Tegucigalpa in the early morning hours of Sunday, June 28, the president of the United States, Barack Obama, was enjoying the peace and tranquility of the countryside at Camp David, the vacation residence for the U.S. head of state. While President Zelaya was beaten by Honduran soldiers and forced into an airplane without knowing its destination, President Obama ate breakfast amidst the relaxing calls of birds in the Maryland forest. And while the coup developed in Honduras yesterday, producing multiple human rights violations: the kidnapping and violence against the Foreign Minister of Honduras, Patricia Rodas; the brutality against and kidnapping of the Cuban and Venezuelan ambassadors in Honduras; and the illegal seizure of power by an illegitimate de facto government, President Obama was making a very, very difficult decision about the church that he and his family would attend over the coming years.
Today's headline, "Obama chooses the same church at Camp David that George Bush went to," is more prominent in the U.S. media than this headline that 0Aalso minimizes and manipulates the truth, "Chávez and allies back the overthrown president of Honduras." It's obvious, the choosing of the church which the Obama family will spend all their Sundays during the next four years is much more important than a coup d'état in a Central American country. Now one can understand as well why yesterday the statements from the White House about the coup in Honduras, made only by spokespersons and not directly by the president, were so ambiguous and measured. Obama not only was retired in the countryside with his family, but was also making high priority decisions about their future Sunday locale. He didn't have time to worry himself with matters far from his personal sphere. Coup? What coup? Obama was deciding about his own life and death, because according to a report in Time magazine, "in spite of Obama wanting to attend a congregation in Washington, later, after trying out various churches, he decided that it 'was uncomfortable' to be in a public place where 'the people' gathered around to see him." So, because of this, he urgently had to go to Camp David to isolate himself from his people.
The point is that President Obama, in spite of being the actual Commander-in- Chief of the United States Armed Forces and the president of the empire, is not directly in control of the entire imperial machinery. Sources close to Washington have confirmed that the Penta gon, through the military mission (military group) of the United States in Honduras, has been working with the military coupists involved in the coup d'état against President Zelaya. The South Command carries out nearly 55 operations annually with the Honduran armed forces. The military mission in the U.S. embassy in Tegucigalpa finances the armed forces of Honduras with approximately two million dollars every year, and that does not include the millions of dollars that Washington provides through other cooperation programs with Honduras, and the large investment in the U.S. military base in Soto Cano, Honduras.
Yesterday, members of the coupist congress in Honduras announced that they were in meetings the previous week with the U.S. ambassador in Tegucigalpa, Hugo Llorens. As well, one Honduran congressman stated that the ambassador wanted them to let the poll scheduled for last Sunday about future referendum for the calling of a Constituent Assembly to happen, because "later on we will be able to resolve the problem of constitutional reform, don't worry." But, according to the congressman, they didn't want to wait until November and allow Zelaya, together with the people, "to make decisions about the future of the country."
It's true that the U.S. government has joined the forceful declaration by the Organization of American States condemning the coup d'état and demanding the immediate return of President Zelay a to power. But up to now, the spokespersons in Washington who have been speaking about the situation in Honduras have said that they are still not considering suspending economic and military aid to Honduras if the coupists refuse to observe the Inter-American Democratic Charter and democratic principles. Will it be a coup like that of Haiti in 2004, when they kidnapped President Aristide and brought him to exile in Africa before the world was aware of the brutal violation of democracy that was occurring in the Caribbean country? It was a U.S. plane that carried off Aristide, escorted by U.S. soldiers. And then, the U.S. government, together with the OAS, condemned the break up of democratic order. But instead of working for the return of Aristide to his legitimate position as president of Haiti, it supported a "transition period" during the following year. As well, it sent U.N. troops to Haiti to "guarantee peace and order" in the country. They are still there today.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) finances so-called "civil society" groups in Honduras with more than $50 million a year. The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the State Department also channel millions of dollars and strategic assistance to the principal political parties and political organizations in Honduras through the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute, and other agencies in Washi ngton. Groups like Peace and Democracy, who yesterday openly backed the coup d'état in Honduras, receive part of this money originating from the self-labeled "promoters of democracy." Just as was the case in Venezuela, during the coup in April 2002, the U.S government financed those groups involved in the coup, and they continued financing them in spite of knowing of their plans for a coup. Perhaps there will be no smoking gun or direct evidence which proves the hand of Washington in the coup, but it is enough to demonstrate its complicity.
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden once stated that President Obama will be subjected to an international test during his first year in office. Washington's condemnation of the coup d'état in Honduras has to be much stronger than a simple signature at the end of an OAS declaration. If it doesn't signal that it will suspend financial support to the coupist government in Honduras if it remains in power, the "change" that President Obama guaranteed with reference to the relationship between his administration and Latin America will become more like blackmail.

The Members of the Cabinet of the Government of President Zelaya Address to the Honduran People and to the International Community
AUTHOR: CABINET OF THE HONDURAN GOVERNMENT IN RESISTANCE
Considering:That on June 28, in the early hours of the morning, the Constitutional President of the Republic, José Manuel Zelaya Rosales, was kidnapped by a group of soldiers and taken to Costa Rica, where at an international press conference he himself denounced the coup d’état by the Honduran Armed Forces and the National Congress.Considering:That the National Congress of the Republic brought forth a resignation with a forged signature, denied by President Zelaya himself as well as his Cabinet.Considering:That with arguments well removed from reality, the Congress proceeded to accept the supposed resignation of the President and his Cabinet, in order to later illegally and unconstitutionally name and swear in Roberto Micheletti Bain, as de facto President.Considering:That the family of President José Manuel Zelaya Rosales and the members of his Cabinet continue to be persecuted, without enjoying any kind of legal protection.Considering:That the de facto President and his illegitimate government, together with deputies and military groups have decreed a curfew between 9:00 p.m. and 6 a.m., violating the rights guaranteed i n our Magna Carta.Considering:That it is impossible for the Honduran public to receive objective information and independent media have been closed, in another flagrant and consummate attempt against freedom of expression.Considering:That all the member countries of the International Community, including the European Union, the OAS, the countries of the Southern Cone, the members of ALBA, the Central American Integration System (SICA), and the United Nations, condemn the military coup, refusing completely to recognize the illegal usurper government, and that all demand the immediate and unconditional restoration of the only Constitutional President of the Republic, José Manuel Zelaya Rosales.

THE MEMBERS OF THE CABINET OF THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT ZELAYA DECLARE TO THE PEOPLE AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY:
1. That the only government legally constituted and elected by the people is that of citizen José Manuel Zelaya Rosales.2. That we are organizing, along with civil society, workers, political parties and society at large in a peaceful resistance, refusing the installation of a government and de facto president who are trying to strike a blow against democracy in our country.3. That the Honduran people have reacted courageously and peacefully against this coup against democracy.4. That we reiterate that we are standing with our President, ready to defend democracy and we are sure that thanks to the resounding support from the noble Hondur an people and the international community, we will re-establish the rule of law and re-install the government of José Manuel Zelaya Rosales, elected by the people, in order to complete his constitutional term and continue his tireless work on behalf of the Honduran people.5. We exhort all Hondurans to continue with us in the peaceful defense of democracy so that in the hours to come we may re-establish peace and order in our beloved Honduras.
Tegucigalpa MDC, June 29th, 2009Cabinet of the Honduran Government in Resistance
ENRIQUE FLORES LANZA, PRESIDENTIAL MINISTER
EDUARDO ENRIQUE REINA, PRIVATE SECRETARY
REBECA SANTOS, FINANCE SECRETARY
FREDIS CERRATO, SECRETARY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
CESAR SALGADO, FHIS MINISTER (Honduran Fund of Social Investment)
RICCI MONCADA, ENERGY MINISTER
EDWIN ARAQUE, PRESIDENT OF THE HONDURAN CENTRAL BANK
JACOBO LAGOS, MINISTER OF THE PRESIDENTIAL STAFF
MARCIO SIERRA, PRESIDENTIAL VICE-MINISTER
BEATRIZ VALLE, MINISTER OF THE RREE POR LEY (External Affairs)
CARLOS ORBIN MONTOYA, ASSESSOR MINISTER
RODOLFO PASTOR FASQUELLE, MINISTER OF CULTURE, ARTS AND SPORTS
MILTON JIMENEZ PUERTO, PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL BANKING AND INSURANCE COMMISSION
RICARDO ARIAS, PRESIDENTIAL VICE-MINISTER
JORGE MENDEZ, SANAA MANAGER (National Autonomous Service of Aqueducts and Sewer Systems)
FRANCISCO FUNES, INA MANAGER (National Agrarian Institute)
MARCO VELASQUEZ, VICE-MINISTER OF TRANS PORTATION AND HOUSING
MARCO TULIO CARTAGENA, INA SUB-MANAGER (National Agrarian Institute)
ADA SERRANO, PANI DIRECTOR (National Board on Children)
JOSE MEDINA, ETHNIC MINISTER
ANGEL MURILLO SELVA, MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RANCHING
MAYRA MEJIA, MINISTER OF EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY
MARLON BREVE, EDUCATION MINISTER
MARCO BURGOS, MINISTER OF THE PERMANENT COMMISSION ON EMERGENCIES
KAREN ZELAYA, MINISTER OF COOPERATION
DORIS GARCIA, MINISTER OF THE NATIONAL WOMEN’S INSTITUTE
JORGE ALBERTO ROSA, HONDUTEL DIRECTOR
SUYAPA PRUDOT, MINISTER OF THE HONDURAN INSTITUTE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Proclama de Zelaya, presidente constitucional de la República de Honduras, a la nación, el 4 de julio
¡O somos libres o seremos esclavos en forma permanente, si no tenemos el valor de defendernos!
Proclama de José Manuel Zelaya, presidente constitucional de la República de Honduras, a la nación, el 4 de julio de 2009

Compañeros y compañeras;Compatriotas hondureños:
Les habla su presidente Manuel Zelaya Rosales.Quiero decirles que el destino de mi vida está ligado al destino del pueblo hondureño.
En la mañana del 28 de junio, mientras me prestaba a ir a ejercer mi voto en una encuesta popular promovida por el pueblo hondureño, fui víctima de atropellos, de asalto y de violación, secuestro, fui apresado y expulsado de mi país por las fuerzas militares de Honduras; fuerzas militares que hoy se han prestado y están en complicidad con la élite voraz que exprime y asfixia a nuestro pueblo. Obedecen sus órdenes, no defienden nuestra nación ni la democracia.
Este zarpazo es en contra de la nación hondureña y ha puesto en evidencia ante el mundo que en Honduras todavía hay una especie de barbarie y personas que no tienen conciencia del daño que les hacen a nuestro país y a las futuras generaciones.
A través de estos medios de comunicación exijo a que continuemos con la participación del pueblo, que es el actor principal de nuestra democracia y de las soluciones que puedan tener los grandes problemas de pobreza y desigualdad que vive nuestra nación.
Los hondureños hemos enfrentado muchos problemas y siempre hemos sabido unirnos para salir adelante, y esta es una gran oportunidad para demostrarle al mundo que los hondureños somos capaces de enfrentar estos problemas y de salir adelante, a pesar de los obstáculos de esta secta criminal que hoy pretende apropiarse de los destinos de nuestra nación y de nuestros hijos.
Hablo a ustedes, golpistas, traidores, judas que me besaron la mejilla para después darle un gran golpe a nuestro país y a la democracia.
Deben de rectificar en el menor tiempo posible, están rodeados. El mundo les ha hecho un vacío, todas las naciones del mundo los han condenado, sin excepciones, hay un repudio general contra ustedes; no van a pasar en vano sus hechos, porque los tribunales internacionales tendrán que rendirles cuentas por el genocidio que están haciendo en nuestro país, al suprimir las libertades, al reprimir a nuestro pueblo.
Yo estoy organizando mi retorno a Honduras. Les pido a todos los campesinos, a las amas de casa, a los pobladores, a los indígenas, a los jóvenes, a los diferentes grupos de organizaciones de trabajadores, empresarios; diferentes amigos políticos que tengo en todo el territorio nacional: alcaldes, diputados, que me acompañen en mi regreso a Honduras, que es el regreso del Presidente electo por la voluntad soberana del pueblo. Es el único medio de elegir presidentes en Honduras, no perdamos nuestro derecho, no permitamos que particulares empiecen a tomar las decisiones que corresponden al pueblo hondureño a través de su legitimidad y de su voluntad popular.
Estoy dispuesto a hacer cualquier esfuerzo, cualquier sacrificio por obtener la libertad que nuestro país necesita.
¡O somos libres o seremos esclavos en forma permanente, si no tenemos el valor de defendernos!
¡No lleven armas, ninguna arma! Practiquen lo que yo siempre he predicado: la no violencia. Que ellos sean los que lleven la violencia, las armas y la represión, y los hago responsables a los golpistas de cada vida, de cada persona, de cada integridad física y de la dignidad del pueblo hondureño.
Nosotros nos vamos a presentar al aeropuerto internacional de Honduras en Tegucigalpa con varios presidentes, varios miembros de comunidades internacionales, y el día domingo, este domingo estaremos en Tegucigalpa abrazándolos, acompañándolos, para hacer valer lo que tanto hemos defendido en nuestra vida, que es la voluntad de Dios a través de la voluntad del pueblo.
Saludos, compatriotas.
¡Que Dios nos proteja y nos bendiga a todos!

Contra los golpistas hasta final, dice líder popular hondureño
San Pedro Sula, Honduras (PL) Las protestas populares continúan hoy porque los hondureños estamos dispuestos a luchar hasta el final contra los golpistas, dijo a Prensa Latina un dirigente social de esta ciudad, la segunda en importancia nacional.
Pese a la represión, más de 10 mil personas participaron aquí en la protesta escenificada en las últimas horas, con un saldo de decenas de heridos, pero “estamos dispuestos a llegar hasta el final”, ratificó uno de los coordinadores del Bloque Popular, Erasto Reyes.
Partidarios del presidente constitucional, Manuel Zelaya, salieron en masa a las calles, en número superior a jornadas anteriores, evaluó el representante del movimiento social.
Efectivos de las Fuerzas Armadas y la Policía Nacional reprimieron con golpes y gases lacrimógenos, en un escenario de creciente expectativa por el próximo retorno del mandatario, quien fue secuestrado por los militares el pasado 28 de junio y sacado a la fuerza del país.
“No somos un pueblo sumiso ante la violación de la Constitución y los derechos humanos” , sintetizó Reyes al evaluar la conducta de numerosos compatriotas sumados a la lucha por la restitución del Estado de Derecho y el retorno de Zelaya a sus funciones.
“Fuera Golpistas” y “Queremos a Mel” son las frases más reiteradas en las pancartas que enarbolan los manifestantes, como expresión de lo que queremos, opinó Reyes.

Honduras: golpe contra la democracia… y contra Obama (I)
http://yohandry.wordpress.com/2009/07/04/honduras-golpe-contra-la-democracia-y-contra-obama-i/,

Honduras: golpe contra la democracia… y contra Obama (II)
http://yohandry.wordpress.com/2009/07/04/honduras-golpe-contra-la-democracia-y-contra-obama-ii/,

U.S. Misread Scale of Honduran RiftZelaya's Closeness to Venezuela's Chávez Was Source of Concern for Opponents
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2009/07/05/ST2009070500123.html,

O.A.S. Votes to Suspend Honduras Over Coup
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/world/americas/05honduras.html?_r=1&ref=americas,