LETTER

HELLO EVERYONE,

THIS IS OUR NEWEST LETTER TO BE SENT OUT TO CONGRESS AND THE OBAMA ADMIN. PLEASE GIVE ME SUGGESTIONS. THE CLOSING AND OPENING NEED HELP, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO BUFF THOSE UP BEFORE WE SEND. ANY HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED:

The recent events in Honduras have opened up a great discussion in both Central America and the United States of America. To this dialogue we wish to add our comments:

1. The Honduran people have been under the budding dictatorship of Mel Zelaya for the past three years. He has outright defied the wishes of the populace and the government.

2. The general public does not wish for Zelaya to return. Forcing Honduras to return him to the presidency would be a rejection of democracy and their sovereignty as a nation.

3. The referendum he had proposed for Sunday, June 28^th would have dismantled the congress and by the end of the day the Honduran democratic structure would have been completely dissolved. Very similar to measures taken by Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. The people of Honduras were left little opportunity but to arrest President Zelaya. The referendum had to be stopped and there was absolutely no time to begin the impeachment process. Both the Supreme Court and the Congress denied Zelaya the approval for the referendum. He ignored their ruling and declared that he would continue with his referendum.

4. Within the very day of Zelaya’s removal, the proper successor according to the constitution was sworn in and the democratic process began yet again. The successor was the next in line and was also a member of Zelaya’s political party. None of this implicates a military coup as the United States and OAS has been calling it. The democratic process continues. Elections in November will occur and the new president will be sworn in in January.

5. Due to the fact that this was unequivocally not a “military coup”, the United States should not withdraw international aid previously offered to Honduras. They have not broken any of the requirements agreed upon between the two countries.

6. The Honduran people responded to the criminal behavior of its president within legal parameters. They are now requesting that international governments and organizations support their decision to stop his criminal behavior. They are asking to maintain the peace that they have been able to maintain through this complicated time. With the proper support of the international community, peace will continue in Honduras.

7. The United States should be honoring the peaceful way in which Honduras managed the arrest of Mel Zelaya. For the first time in Central American history, we see a potentially explosive situation handled in a peaceful manner. Bloodshed has been the result of any prior political change in Central America, in particular when it comes to people resisting dictatorial behavior. The fact that this did not occur last Sunday should leave us all honoring Honduras for the way in which they showed the rest of the world how modern democracy can work.

8. It is our opinion that Honduras remains an important ally for the United States. The United States should continue to validate the new temporary government and uphold the proper standard of democracy that they have now set. The United States has also relied upon the country of Honduras as a strategic location in Central America. This continues to be important for both countries.

9. It is imperative that Honduras not succumb to Ex-president Zelaya and Hugo Chavez. This would present a loss of sovereignty to Honduras. This would mark the end of democracy in Honduras.

10. Hugo Chavez and his anti-American sentiment present a threat to U.S. citizens. The known alliance between Venezuela and Iran should also be considered when deciding which side to support. Having known administrations with high anti American sentiment in the United States’ backyard should not be an option. Protecting American citizens from this vulnerable position should be first on the US administration's list. Honduras has worked hard to help us with this and the United States should support their efforts.

Thank you for taking the time to read our concerns. The result of this situation in Honduras has consequences for the United States and for the Honduran people.