Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RIODEJANEIRO172
2009-06-30 13:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Cable title:
Media Reaction Rio de Janeiro, Unacceptable (Coup in
how-toVZCZCXYZ0005 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHRI #0172 1811349 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 301349Z JUN 09 FM AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4937 INFO RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 1255 RUEHSO/AMCONSUL SAO PAULO PRIORITY 5266 RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
UNCLAS RIO DE JANEIRO 000172
SIPDIS
STATE INR/R/MR; IIP/R/MR; WHA/PD
DEPT PASS USTR
USDOC 4322/MAC/OLAC/JAFEE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR OPRC OIIP ETRD XM XR BR
SUBJECT: Media Reaction Rio de Janeiro, Unacceptable (Coup in
Honduras)
Unacceptable
On July 30, 2009, center-right daily O Globo writes, "The unanimous
reaction towards the coup in Honduras shows how much this type of
action, frequent in the past, is even more unacceptable nowadays in
Latin America. There are countries with democratic institutions
that are more solid than others, but the consensus in the region is
that these revolutionary adventures are, or should be, out of the
question.
Meanwhile, within the democratic structures that have become the
norm for the continent- the last coup was in 2000 in Ecuador- a
tendency for heads of state to try to stay in power is gaining
strength. The instrument for doing so is not the coup, but the
utilization of democratic space to bend institutions for one's own
benefit. The maneuver's pioneer is Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, with
his 'Bolivarian revolution,' and his 'socialism of the 21st
century.' Chavez developed a 'Bolivarian kit', which consists of
augmenting the power of the State and the executive branch and
shrinking that of the judiciary and legislative branches. In a way
that, according to some, democracy still exists in Venezuela.
Another Chavez style initiative was to export the 'Bolivarian kit'
to Bolivia, Ecuador, and Nicaragua in an attempt to form an
anti-American leftist block with Cuba. Chavez's most recent client
is Manuel Zelaya, the president of Honduras deposed of on the eve of
a referendum that would have allowed him to stay in power-a
principal ingredient in the 'Chavista' kit... the PT did well to
discard the idea of a third mandate for Lula, something that has yet
to be decided in Columbia in relation to Uribe.
Zelaya's problem was that his initiative to stay in power was
blocked by Congress, the electoral court, and the Supreme Court. His
attempt to change the command of the Army, whose duty was to
guarantee the realization of the referendum, was also blocked by the
court. It is up to the leaders of Honduran institutions and Zelaya
to negotiate, without a democratic rupture. The army should go back
to the barracks. That is what Latin American leaders, President
Obama, the OAS, and the European Union all say in unison. The
message is clear: the new Honduran government will not be
recognized. The legitimate president is Zelaya. If he disrespects
the constitution, this path should lead to impeachment in accordance
with the law.
Even if the Honduran military's actions can be seen as a
counter-coup, nothing, not even the Chavez style interference in the
country's domestic politics, justifies a departure from [adhering
to] the rule of law.
MARTINEZ
SIPDIS
STATE INR/R/MR; IIP/R/MR; WHA/PD
DEPT PASS USTR
USDOC 4322/MAC/OLAC/JAFEE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR OPRC OIIP ETRD XM XR BR
SUBJECT: Media Reaction Rio de Janeiro, Unacceptable (Coup in
Honduras)
Unacceptable
On July 30, 2009, center-right daily O Globo writes, "The unanimous
reaction towards the coup in Honduras shows how much this type of
action, frequent in the past, is even more unacceptable nowadays in
Latin America. There are countries with democratic institutions
that are more solid than others, but the consensus in the region is
that these revolutionary adventures are, or should be, out of the
question.
Meanwhile, within the democratic structures that have become the
norm for the continent- the last coup was in 2000 in Ecuador- a
tendency for heads of state to try to stay in power is gaining
strength. The instrument for doing so is not the coup, but the
utilization of democratic space to bend institutions for one's own
benefit. The maneuver's pioneer is Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, with
his 'Bolivarian revolution,' and his 'socialism of the 21st
century.' Chavez developed a 'Bolivarian kit', which consists of
augmenting the power of the State and the executive branch and
shrinking that of the judiciary and legislative branches. In a way
that, according to some, democracy still exists in Venezuela.
Another Chavez style initiative was to export the 'Bolivarian kit'
to Bolivia, Ecuador, and Nicaragua in an attempt to form an
anti-American leftist block with Cuba. Chavez's most recent client
is Manuel Zelaya, the president of Honduras deposed of on the eve of
a referendum that would have allowed him to stay in power-a
principal ingredient in the 'Chavista' kit... the PT did well to
discard the idea of a third mandate for Lula, something that has yet
to be decided in Columbia in relation to Uribe.
Zelaya's problem was that his initiative to stay in power was
blocked by Congress, the electoral court, and the Supreme Court. His
attempt to change the command of the Army, whose duty was to
guarantee the realization of the referendum, was also blocked by the
court. It is up to the leaders of Honduran institutions and Zelaya
to negotiate, without a democratic rupture. The army should go back
to the barracks. That is what Latin American leaders, President
Obama, the OAS, and the European Union all say in unison. The
message is clear: the new Honduran government will not be
recognized. The legitimate president is Zelaya. If he disrespects
the constitution, this path should lead to impeachment in accordance
with the law.
Even if the Honduran military's actions can be seen as a
counter-coup, nothing, not even the Chavez style interference in the
country's domestic politics, justifies a departure from [adhering
to] the rule of law.
MARTINEZ