The "secret pact" of Honduras
Uncertainty rules the streets of Tegucigalpa . People wonder what will happen when Congress decides whether to restore to power the deposed President Manuel Zelaya.
Shannon is the chief architect of the agreement signed between representatives of Micheletti and Zelaya.
Could it be that there was a secret pact between USA and the Honduran Congress to return the charge to Zelaya? Is everything negotiated to look like they are the lawmakers who decide the future of Honduras? Or will there be surprises?
There are several answers. According to the vice president of the Congress alternative, Marcia Villeda, legislators should vote against the return of Zelaya, following what she sees as the "majority will".
"Some 87% of the Honduran population favors and supports the government of Roberto Micheletti, therefore we as Members should serve the interests of the population," Villeda said.
The Liberal deputy expects the Supreme Court to issue a resolution opposing Zelaya and that the Congress will ratify the same position, so that the deposed president is removed from office, and not by force of arms but with the legitimacy of agreement signed by warring parties under the aegis of the United States.
However, other lawmakers say there is a secret deal between the negotiators and Undersecretary of State for Latin American Affairs, Thomas Shannon, the chief architect of the agreement signed in early Friday between representatives of Micheletti and Zelaya.
"There is a secret agreement, a tacit agreement with the Americans and the Honduran Congress which enables Zelaya to return to power " told BBC News Marvin Ponce, a deputy from the Party of Democratic Unification (UD).
The unwritten agreement
While Ponce said the return of Zelaya is not completely certain, he believes it is "highly likely".
There is a secret agreement, a tacit agreement with the Americans and Congress, which enables Zelaya's return to power
Marvin Ponce, a deputy from the Party of Democratic Unification
The secret pact with the Americans is so real, Ponce said, that it even includes dates.
"According to this unwritten agreement before November 10 Zelaya should be back in power and elections should be later this month as planned."
Although many parallels to the negotiating table official discussed various possible methods to ensure the governability of the country.
One was that Zelaya returned to the presidency of Honduras on November 10th but not fully exercise the office until after the election.
The power of Porfirio Lobo
The buzzword today in Honduras is the country's future lies in the hands of Congress.
According to the "compact", Wolf called the National Party MPs to vote for the return of Zelaya.
Are 128 Members who will vote in favor or against the return of Manuel Zelaya in power after he was removed from office and taken out in pajamas from his home by the army on 28 June, four months ago.
The balance of power is divided as follows: 62 are the Liberal Party (the party Micheletti and Zelaya belong to), 55 National Party 5 of the Democratic Unification Party (UD), 4 Christian Democratic Party and 2 Innovation and Unity (PINU).
On the side of liberals, estimates show that they have 17 votes in favor of the restitution of Zelaya, which is summarized in five of the UD. But what will define the balance will be the National Party vote.
So all eyes are on the presidential candidate of that party, Porfirio Lobo, who so far is leading in the presidential race.
Sources close to negotiations told BBC News that the secret pact between Lobo and Shannon is that Lobo called on Members of the National Party to vote for the return of Zelaya.
But if some of Lobo's lawmakers do not obediently behave and vote against Zelaya, Shannon would have undertaken to accept, anyway, the outcome of the presidential elections of 29 November.
So, Porfirio Lobo is, at present, the key man in Honduras.
What's next?
For points of agreement are met, the first thing has to happen is that Congress returns to session.
87% of the Honduran population favors and supports the government of Roberto Micheletti, therefore we as Members should serve the interests of the population
Marcia Villeda, vice president of the Congress alternating
It takes nearly two weeks in recess and is chairman of the legislature, Jose Alfredo Saavedra, who is to convene the Congress into session.
When this occurs, the Commission opinion of Congress must send a document to the Supreme Court, for it issues a recommendation regarding the return of Zelaya.
It is believed that the Supreme Court will decide against Zelaya, as it has done so far, but its recommendation is not binding,it would have the power to influence but not determine the vote in Congress.
When the Supreme Court issues its recommendation, then the full parliament will vote and determine whether Manuel Zelaya again becomes president of Honduras.
And all this process should occur in the coming days.
No comments:
Post a Comment