Just got a phone call from Ralph saying that the group had arrived safely at San Salvador airport and were boarding the bus to head to La Palma.
-Lori
Friday, December 4, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Honduras: Honduran Congress Votes Overwhelmingly Against Restoring Zelaya – 3 December 0900
The Honduran Congress yesterday voted overwhelmingly not to restore to office ousted president Manuel Zelaya. Of the 125 members present, 111 voted against reinstatement. Congress was voting on ratification of an agreement reached on 30 October between Zelaya, an outspoken leftist who was ousted from power on 28 June and has been holed up in the Brazilian Embassy in Tegucigalpa since September, and the interim government.
The overwhelming “no” vote presents Washington with a dilemma. It has recognized the outcome of Sunday’s presidential and congressional elections but has urged the Honduran Congress to restore the president. Zelaya has said that he would refuse reinstatement in any case.
Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Peru have indicated that they will recognize the election’s outcome. Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, on the other hand, stated flatly that they will not recognize the new president, and other left-leaning and leftist Latin American regimes are expected to follow suit.
Porfirio Lobo, the candidate of the right-of-center National Party, easily won the presidential contest, garnering more than 55 percent of the vote, to 38 percent for Liberal Party nominee Elvin Santos. He is set to be inaugurated on 27 January. More than 60 percent of eligible voters turned out for the elections, a stronger showing than in 2005, when only 55 percent turned out.
The 30 October agreement called for Zelaya to be reinstated temporarily and with limited powers. It had to be ratified by the Honduran Congress, which referred the matter to the country’s Supreme Court. The Supreme Court last Thursday advised against Zelaya’s restoration on the grounds that he has criminal charges pending against him in connection with his attempt to overturn a constitutional provision that bars presidents from serving more than one term.
The Honduran Congress yesterday voted overwhelmingly not to restore to office ousted president Manuel Zelaya. Of the 125 members present, 111 voted against reinstatement. Congress was voting on ratification of an agreement reached on 30 October between Zelaya, an outspoken leftist who was ousted from power on 28 June and has been holed up in the Brazilian Embassy in Tegucigalpa since September, and the interim government.
The overwhelming “no” vote presents Washington with a dilemma. It has recognized the outcome of Sunday’s presidential and congressional elections but has urged the Honduran Congress to restore the president. Zelaya has said that he would refuse reinstatement in any case.
Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Peru have indicated that they will recognize the election’s outcome. Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, on the other hand, stated flatly that they will not recognize the new president, and other left-leaning and leftist Latin American regimes are expected to follow suit.
Porfirio Lobo, the candidate of the right-of-center National Party, easily won the presidential contest, garnering more than 55 percent of the vote, to 38 percent for Liberal Party nominee Elvin Santos. He is set to be inaugurated on 27 January. More than 60 percent of eligible voters turned out for the elections, a stronger showing than in 2005, when only 55 percent turned out.
The 30 October agreement called for Zelaya to be reinstated temporarily and with limited powers. It had to be ratified by the Honduran Congress, which referred the matter to the country’s Supreme Court. The Supreme Court last Thursday advised against Zelaya’s restoration on the grounds that he has criminal charges pending against him in connection with his attempt to overturn a constitutional provision that bars presidents from serving more than one term.
We leave very early tomorrow for El Salvador. The temperature in San Salvador is predicted to be 91! That will be a switch from Tulsa at 20.
The Honduran people have elected a new president who seems conservative and acceptable. The US and several other countries have accepted him, although Venezuela has not--and probably won't. The Honduras trip should be easy and uneventful for us, as the hostilities have ceased.
We have a very busy schedule and lots to do. Gladys got word that her mother is very ill and she will be spending time with her. We will miss her but understand that she must take care of her family.
Pray for our safety and security and success, please. God bless you, Ralph
The Honduran people have elected a new president who seems conservative and acceptable. The US and several other countries have accepted him, although Venezuela has not--and probably won't. The Honduras trip should be easy and uneventful for us, as the hostilities have ceased.
We have a very busy schedule and lots to do. Gladys got word that her mother is very ill and she will be spending time with her. We will miss her but understand that she must take care of her family.
Pray for our safety and security and success, please. God bless you, Ralph
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
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