Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told Latin American leaders Thursday it is time to move forward on restoring relations with Honduras after last year's coup...
"Other countries of the region say that they want to wait a while," she said. "I don't know what they're waiting for, but that's their right to wait. We believe that President Lobo and his administration have taken the steps necessary to restore democracy. And we share the condemnation of the coup that occurred but we think it's time to move forward and insure that such disruptions of democracy do not and cannot happen in the future."However, is there any reason why the US has to be so condescending towards the other countries in the region? Several Latin American states are not quite ready to restore relations with a Honduran government that carried out a coup less than one year ago, forcibly exiled its elected president, and carried out a campaign of repression against those opposed to its actions. Just say "The United States has decided to normalize relations with Honduras" and "we repect everyone else's right to wait." Saying that we don't know what they are waiting for and calling them out just makes it more difficult for the remaining governments to extend recognition after they've been belittled by the US. It's not something that plays well in domestic politics.
On the other hand, maybe the Secretary is right. Zelaya is not returning to Honduras. If there is nothing that the Lobo administration can do to satisfy the other governmnents in the region and it is just a matter of time before they extend recognition, what do they gain from delaying recognition three, six, or twelve months?
Lastly, you would think that the Voice of America would be able to find a photo where Oscar Arias looks happy to be next to the Secretary. A penny for his thoughs anyone? (Voice of America)
