Artists in Resistance Communique upon the arrival of Manuel Zelaya

[EFerrari]

Artists in Resistance Communique upon the arrival of Manuel Zelaya
Thu, 05/26/2011 - 10:50 — AP

Artists in Resistance Communique upon the arrival of Manuel Zelaya
My translation

Compañero Manuel Zelaya: we are back in the place where we last met. Your return to Honduras is only the first step for which we took to the streets.

In Honduras we still await justice and punishment for those responsible for the coup d'état and for the violations of human rights.

All of Latin America needs to know if the coup will be punished and reversed through processes which the Honduran nation in Resistance considers legitimate, taking the necessary time and actions, never subject to a calendar designed to comply with the expectations of outside processes and interests.

Our political and cultural organization, Artists in Resistance, will be there to receive you, yes, but confused by the enormous popular demonstration that will flood the streets.

http://quotha.net/node/1791

[rabs]

1. Have you heard of the threats?

Don't know if you read about the news conference Xiomara gave in Teguz on May 12. She told the media that there was a conspiracy afoot to kill Z. She said she had gotten the information from a Honduran businessman.

Hours later, Pepe told reporters that he "guaranteed" the safety of Z.

As you know, Pepe has run afoul of some of the golpistas and a few months ago he complained about a golpe conspiracy against him. So his guaranteeing the safety of Z looks questionable, what with Facusse and the other "turcos" still running around in Hond.

Yesterday was reading that Z may return this Saturday, but that his stay could be short lived, like maybe one day, before going back to DR.

One thing though, if the zelayistas (FNRP) turn out en mass to greet him, and the golpista cops and police use violence, that would put Pepe in a bad light re his yearning to return to the OAS.

[EFerrari]

2. I didn't know any of that.

I wish Mel would not go back there right now. Maybe it's the right thing to do but it seems very dangerous. :(

[rabs]

3. FNRP preparing welcome for Saturday

At Tocantin at 11 a.m. Gonna be lot of people there if it goes through.




Since last week, flag, posters etc. preparation has been under way for the return.

Story, Spanish

http://www.resistenciahonduras.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2902:avanzan-preparativos-para-bienvenida-de-manuel-zelaya&catid=95:resistencia&Itemid=334

[Judi Lynn]

4. Zelaya plans to return to Honduras Saturday

Zelaya plans to return to Honduras Saturday
May 26, 2011, 19:01 GMT

Tegucigalpa - Ousted Honduran president Manuel Zelaya plans to return to the Central American country Saturday, and to stay there for good.

Zelaya told his supporters Thursday in a text message that earlier reports saying he would only stay in Honduras for a week are wrong.

'I am returning Saturday (May) 28 to my homeland, to the country where I was born. Not for one week nor for 24 hours as has been wrongly said, but for the rest of my life. I am not afraid of all the dangers and adversity,' Zelaya said.

He was ousted from power and sent into exile in a coup on June 28, 2009 and has been living as a guest in the Dominican Republic for over a year.

More:
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/americas/news/article_1641739.php/Zelaya-plans-to-return-to-Honduras-Saturday

[rabs]

6. Dilemma for zelayists ... Champions or Mel ?

An event will be taking place in London about the time Z is scheduled to arrive in Teguz on Saturday morning.


The event will be the European Champions League football final at Wembley Stadium. It is a dream match of conceivably the two best football teams in the world. Millions around the globe will be watching, including football fanatics in Honduras.

So for the soccer and Zelaya fans, it will be a matter of political passion vs. football passion.

---------------------------

On the political side, Rafa Correa today said Ecuador would not vote for the return of Honduras to the OAS unless the golpistas who ousted Z. were tried and punished.

[Judi Lynn]

7. Have read Hondurans are crazy about football, absolute fanatics.

I recall when their country's team was playing some important championship game, I believe, and a lot of people poured into town and watched a giant screen which was mounted above the street for them. They had a huge crowd sitting and standing there together.

Hope Saturday will go safely, whatever happens. I'll bet there will be a crowd of supporters there, even though they know they can't particularly trust the same people who've been terrorizing them for over a year already.

I would hope Zelaya intends to keep a LOT of good bodyguards around him and his family until Honduras has a better government.

Rafael Correa has guts, gotta hand it to him. He sticks by his convictions. Sure wish politicians here would do that. Had not heard a word about his position on the OAS re-entry. The current government DOESN'T deserve to be included.

[rabs]

8. Police and army troops have been asked to stay away

by the FNRP (Resistance Front) to avoid confrontations. Z is to travel in a Jeep (probably an armored SUV) five kilometers from the airport to the center of Teguz.

FNRP has confirmed that at least 400 buses will bring supporters from the interior of the country.

Z said on Thursday that he did not fear the dangers. He will be accompanied by Ortega of Nicaragua, FM Maduro of Venezuela and other foreign ministers, representatives of human rights organizations and leftist parties from the Americas and Europe.

I will be watching Chosatsur live, and the game on a little TV next to the computer.

[Judi Lynn]

9. Their decision to accompany Zelaya as he arrives is stupendous.

Very brave of these people, and a perfect reminder that Zelaya is they one who is still respected by the other Latin American leaders. Human rights organization reps are so good to join them, too, adding even far more pairs of eyes on Honduras Saturday.

400 buses. Of course we remember when the military started forcing the buses to stop, and the people to get out when they tried to travel to see Mel's return from Nicaragua. They even shot out the tires to force everyone to have to walk a long way.
Hateful, hateful coup people. Hope they'll restrain themselves THIS time.

That's quite a set-up you've got there, with your Cholosatsur and the game going simultaneously. Very cool!

[Judi Lynn]

5. Brazilian envoy to witness ex-Honduran president's return

Brazilian envoy to witness ex-Honduran president's return
10:40, May 27, 2011

Brazil said Thursday it would send an envoy to witness former Honduran president Manuel Zelaya's scheduled return to his country on Saturday, a pre-condition set by the Organization of the Americas (OAS) to readmit the Central American nation.

Special Advisor on International Affairs of Brazilian Presidency Marco Aurelio Garcia will travel to the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa on that occasion, Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota told a joint news conference.

"That should seal the return of Honduras to the American and international coexistence," Patriota said.

Under a deal reached among OAS members on Sunday, Hondruas, whose membership was suspended after Zelaya was ousted in a coup in June 2009, would be readmitted into the organization under the conditions that the former president would be allowed to safely return to his country with full political rights guaranteed.

More:
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90852/7392943.html

[Judi Lynn]

10. OAS chief travels to Honduras to welcome ousted president Zelaya

OAS chief travels to Honduras to welcome ousted president Zelaya
May 27, 2011, 16:34 GMT

Washington - The secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS), Jose Miguel Insulza, travelled Friday to Tegucigalpa to welcome ousted Honduran president Manuel Zelaya.

Zelaya, who was sent into exile after a coup on June 28, 2009, is to return to Honduras Saturday.

According to the OAS, Foreign Ministers Maria Angela Holguin of Colombia, and Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, are also to meet Zelaya.

Colombia and Venezuela brokered Sunday's deal between current Honduran President Porfirio Lobo and Zelaya, paving the way for his return.

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/americas/news/article_1641952.php/OAS-chief-travels-to-Honduras-to-welcome-ousted-president-Zelaya