Kerry and Berman ask the Library of Congress to retract the Honduras report DeMint and others cite

[karynnj]

“The report, which has contributed to the political crisis that still wracks Honduras, contains factual errors and is based on a flawed legal analysis that has been refuted by experts from the United States, the Organization of American States, and Honduras,” Kerry and Berman wrote in the letter.

<snip>
The report, which went public last month, has been cited by Republicans as evidence that the de facto Honduran government was right to take power when the military forced Zelaya into exile in late June.

<snip>
Kerry and Berman say the report is “misleading to the Congress and the public.”

They lay out three problems in the report. First, they argue it follows a line of analysis based on a Honduran constitutional provision that was struck down in 2003 by the Honduran Supreme Court. Second, the write that parts of the report relay on a supporter of Zelaya's ouster. Finally, they say the report presents a “unique” interpretation of the Honduran constitution without “adequate textual or precedential support.”

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/65117-kerry-berman-want-controversial-honduras-report-to-be-retracted

[beachmom]

1. The Right attacked him big time for this, but it looks like it all may be a moot point:

http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=10&year=2009&base_name=a_diplomatic_coup_for_the_obam

A Diplomatic Coup for the Obama Team.

Pun intended. Remember when President Manuel Zelaya (above, in the hat) was ousted in Honduras? The Supreme Court and the military combined to eject Zelaya when he proposed a controversial referendum designed to extend his power, leading to chaos, violent street protests, and waves of concern across Latin America. While Zelaya himself was no mean shakes -- and later indulged in some weird anti-Semitic comments -- the Obama administration joined with the rest of the international community to condemn the coup and work for a diplomatic solution. Now they've succeeded after dispatching a team of diplomats to the country, and Zelaya will return to office and finish out the remainder of his term, which ends in January.

It's a symbolic gesture, but it's an important one.

Al Giordano says not so fast:

http://narcosphere.narconews.com/thefield/3567/reports-deal-honduras-are-premature

We shall see.

[beachmom]

3. Hmmmm .... Al may have had a point:

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2009/11/20091141934390702.html

Zelaya seeks US clarity on return

Honduras' deposed president has sent a letter to the US secretary of state asking why US officials have said that they will recognise forthcoming Honduran elections even if he is not reinstated beforehand.

Manuel Zelaya on Wednesday asked Hillary Clinton "to clarify to the Honduran people if the position condemning the coup d'etat has been changed or modified".

The ousted leader's letter was sent after Thomas Shannon, the senior US envoy to Latin America, told CNN en Espanol that the US will recognise the November 29 elections even if the Honduran congress votes against Zelaya's return to power before the vote.

"Both leaders took a risk and put their trust in congress but, at the end of the day, the accord requires that both leaders accept its decision," Shannon said.

[beachmom]

2. John Kerry on Twitter!! re: Honduras. Gives a shout out to Hillary Clinton:

http://twitter.com/JohnKerry

Huge breakthrough in Honduras, huge win for Sec. Clinton. A few thoughts: http://bit.ly/115qOa

His thoughts (link goes to Senate site).

Kerry Applauds Resolution To Return President Zelaya To Power in Honduras



WASHINGTON, D.C. –Senator John Kerry (D-MA), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement today in response to Honduran President Manuel Zelaya and Roberto Micheletti reaching an agreement to return President Zelaya to power:

“I welcome the agreement ending the crisis in Honduras. The restoration of democracy is an historic accomplishment for the Honduran people . The accord provides a roadmap for elections on November 29, but success will depend on rigorous international monitoring of the accord’s implementation.

“I also want to congratulate Costa Rican President Arias, OAS Secretary General Insulza, and Assistant Secretary Tom Shannon and his team. With this crisis resolved, I look forward to the speedy Senate confirmation of Mr. Shannon as our Ambassador to Brazil and Dr. Arturo Valenzuela as Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs.”

Also here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8723941