Violation of Law Seen in GOP Legislators' Support of Honduran Coup

Interview with Brendan Cooney, writer and anthropologist, conducted by Scott Harris

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R- Fla., holds a copy of Honduras' constitution during a press conference with Honduras'coup- installed President Roberto Micheletti in Tegucigalpa, Oct. 5

As the stalemate continues in the international effort to return the overthrown Honduran president, Manuel Zelaya to power, a parade of Republican legislators have traveled from Washington to Honduras to support the coup government. Nine GOP members of the House and Senate, including Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida have flown to the Honduran capital Tegucigalpa to support the defacto coup government's president Roberto Micheletti. The lawmakers stated they believe the coup that ousted Honduran President Zelaya was justified because of his stated intent to hold a non-binding referendum on changing the nation's constitution, which they argue could have removed presidential term limits, a fact disputed by many observers. Since the June 28 coup d'etat, the Honduran police and army have arrested more than a thousand pro-Zelaya supporters, killed an estimated 14 civilians, suspended civil liberties and shutting down opposition newspapers, radio and television stations.

The Republicans' embrace of the coup government in Honduras, has staked out a position that justifies any action they see as working against the influence of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and his socialist agenda in Latin America. But with their actions, they are deliberately undermining the Obama administration's and universal international efforts to isolate the Michelletti regime and to push for a negotiated return of Zelaya to office before the scheduled Nov. 29 Honduran presidential election.

Meanwhile President Zelaya, who covertly returned to Honduras on Sept. 21, has taken refuge in the Brazilian embassy where he is awaiting negotiations that he hopes will restore him to power. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Brendan Cooney, a writer and anthropologist, who explains why he believes Republican party legislators have broken the law by supporting the illegal coup-installed government in Honduras.

Read Brendan Cooney' article, "Are Republicans Breaking U.S. Law in Honduras," on the online magazine www.counterpunch.org

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