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El Hogar Ministries eNewsletter
Special Edition - Update on Political Situation
November 2, 2009 |
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November 2, 2009
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Issue 30 | |
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| Introduction |
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The following are the two most recent updates from
Rich Kunz regarding the political situation in Honduras.
Thank you for your concern for El Hogar and Honduras.
A special Felicidades to Rev. Rich Kunz and Dr. Barbra McKune on their wedding on October 17, 2009!
Liz Kinchen
Executive Director in NA | |
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| November 2, 2009 |
You have probably read that an accord has been signed by the two sides in our political conflict, brokered by the United States. This is a very hopeful development, but it has been met with a low key response by most people I have talked to in Honduras. There are several reasons for this response. First of all, most of the country has already "moved on", in that they are involved in the process leading to the next election. Therefore, both Micheletti and Zelaya have ceased to be very important to them. They are looking forward to the next president, who will be elected later this month, and will take office in January.
Another reason is that there is a certain amount of ambiguity built into the agreement, so that not everyone agrees about what has been agreed upon. The agreement provides for a reinstatement of Zelaya, under a "unity" government, with the establishment of a truth commission. It also stipulates that both parties will honor the outcome of the next election. And, in accordance with the Honduran constitution, during this time of election and transition, control of the armed forces is transferred to the election commission. The decision of whether or not to restore Zelaya to office now rests with the congress, which will take the matter up tomorrow.
What is a little unclear is what will happen if the congress decides not to restore him. Some people seem to assume that congress is being asked to ratify an agreement and a path to restore Zelaya to power. More accurately, however, it seems that the agreement has given congress the opportunity to decide who should be president, and both Micheletti and Zelaya have agreed to abide by their decision. In any case, I am told that even before they decide, the unity cabinet will start to be formed.
What is most important is that this clears the way for the international community to recognize the upcoming election, resume financial aid to Honduras, and begin to normalize relations again. In many ways, in my opinion, this agreement is more for the sake of international relations than for the sake of determining who runs Honduras. The followers of Zelaya are still insisting on his restitution as necessary, as are a few places like Venezuela. But most countries have expressed their satisfaction that this agreement puts Honduras on a good path again.
The US, which has been trying to hold to two seemingly contradictory points (Removing presidents at gunpoint during the night without trial is a bad thing, and Zelaya therefore must still be recognized as the legitimate president vs. Zelaya was violating the constitution and trying to lead Honduras into a close alliance with Chavez, and therefore we want to limit his power and see him leave as soon as possible.) seems to have achieved both if this agreement holds. It has come out strongly against coups, while brokering an agreement that limits Zelaya to, at most, less than three months of seriously curtailed power.
There is still quite a lot to be worked out, and demonstrations continue, but it does appear that Honduras is moving out of its political crisis.
One of the reasons the congress is not willing to consider Zelaya's restitution today is that this is All Souls' Day. On this day, many Hondurans go to the cemeteries to decorate the graves of their loved ones. Flowers and paper wreaths are on sale everywhere.
Sometimes the gravestones are painted bright colors. Families will have picnics there. Young boys race from family to family, offering, for a small contribution of food or money, to say an "Our Father" for the deceased. It is a day of remembrance of those who have gone before.
For El Hogar, this is a busy time of preparation. This weekend we have our graduation at the Agricultural School, then the next day is a reunion of past graduates for all three centers. The next weekend are the graduations at the Institute and at El Hogar. Teachers are getting final grades in, and those students who did not do so well on their final exams have another chance to retake the exams. It is an exciting time for students and for their families.
At the same time, we have a large list of names of children and young people who would like to be part of El Hogar next year, and we will be beginning the process of selection this month.
On a personal note, Barbra McCune and I had the privilege of enjoying a celebration of our marriage at the Institute this past Saturday. We had a service of thanksgiving, with lots of the children and staff there, followed by a lunch of Chinese food and a delicious cake. It was a wonderful day!
Please continue to keep us in your prayers as the details of the political agreement are worked out, and as our students move into this important time of transition in their lives.
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| September 29, 2009 |
I apologize for neglecting updates for a few weeks, but I took some time off to get married and go on a honeymoon! Barbra and I both feel blessed by the prayers and good wishes that have come from so many of you. Thank you!
Back here in Honduras, it is campaign season. The length of the campaign is regulated here, so it does not go on forever. Elections are scheduled for November 29. These elections were scheduled and organized well before the government changed. Many countries are threatening not to recognize the results, but most Hondurans I have talked to are looking forward to the election and installation of a new president as the resolution to this present crisis.
Right now, some "high ranking" US diplomats are in town, pushing for a negotiated solution prior to the elections. Zelaya is still in the Brazilian embassy with about 35 supporters and 5 journalists. He is pushing his re institution as the solution to the crisis, and Micheletti is rejecting that. Micheletti is suggesting that they both resign making way for a third person, and Zelaya is rejecting that. So no solution seems forthcoming.
The streets are much more quiet, since the laws for public gatherings are a bit different during campaign season. So, things seem more tranquil than when I left. On the other hand, there have been a number of suspicious acts directed toward the present government. A few days ago, Micheletti's nephew was found executed. Earlier this week, the 81 year old father of one of the army security officers was kidnapped. The "resistance" claim they have nothing to do with these events, but not everyone believes them. They state that their resistance is peaceful, but at the same time are threatening both to boycott and disrupt the elections.
El Hogar Projects has somehow weathered recession, curfews, street demonstrations and riots, H1N1, and everything else, and is preparing for graduations beginning on November 6. The public school students missed 100 days this year, but everyone is being passed to the next grade anyway. El Hogar missed just one day, and that was for the national celebration on achieving a place in the 2010 World Cup Tournament in South Africa!
We have a reunion of graduates scheduled for November 6 at the Institute. Claudia has managed to get some free TV coverage on one of the channels here, and it is also being advertised on the radio, so we are hoping for a good turnout.
It is a huge blessing for me to come back after being gone for so long and to find all the centers functioning so well! The Honduran leadership is the key to making El Hogar such a special ministry.
They are amazing people.
Thank you all for your continuing prayers!
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| Past Articles |
| To read past articles, please visit our website at: www.elhogar.org. | |
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Sincerely,
Rev. Rich Kunz
Executive Director, Honduras | |
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