OPINION

Who’s conflict is it anyway?

In a move that has both baffled and frustrated the Honduran government, the Nicaraguan President, Daniel Ortega, has tried to use the Honduran armory as an excuse to hold on to his remaining thousand SAM-7 missiles. The US recently asked Nicaragua to destroy them in the fear that they could leak into the hands of terrorist organizations. The previous president, Bolaños, had agreed to this US demand, however had only managed to destroy half of the 2000 strong supply. Ortega, however, points out that he is not Bolaños, and does not have to continue with the former presidents plans.

Though this conflict is primarily between Nicaragua and the US, it amplifies tensions between Honduras and its neighboring countries by serving as a reminder of Honduras' support for the Contras during Nicaragua's recent Civil War. The issue has a particular sensitivity because Ortega played a leading role in the Sandinista junta that ruled Nicaragua between 1985 and 1990.

This paper agrees with the Honduran government that the involvement of Honduras is unnecessary in the conflict. Ortega has dragged Honduras into the debate, citing its eight Storm Rally aircrafts and 11 fully equipped military aircrafts as an excuse that Nicaragua should be allowed defensive weapons.

Ortega has also pointed his finger at Costa Rica's Civil Guard, which he claims is strong enough to wage war. He questions the motive and right of both countries to hold on to their military stock piles, especially considering that he has been asked to let go of his.

Yet Zelaya claims the Storm Rallies are for anti narcotic operations and the protection of frontiers, and denies the presence of the additional 11 aircraft. "Nicaragua should not feel any threat from the Honduran government" said the Honduran President. "Neighboring countries can have disagreements, but these can and should be resolved diplomatically and peacefully." There is no need for either country to be so well armed.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Legacy

Ambassador Charles Ford
U.S. Embassy
Tegucigalpa 

On January 15th, Americans celebrated the birthday of the great civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Martin Luther King, Jr. with a national holiday. Across the United States, there were marches and commemorations highlighting the contribution made by Dr. King and furthering his famous dream of a better America.

As Hondurans took note of this occasion, it would be understandable for them to have asked whether this event, this man, and his legacy should have any particular meaning to them? True, Martin Luther King is well-known as a leader who sought and won equality and dignity for African-Americans. He was certainly a brilliant orator who stood before the Lincoln Monument and dreamed of an America where his four children would not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Yet, plainly speaking, what can we learn from this man and the movement that he led?

To some degree, his widow, Coretta Scott King, answered this question best. When asked for her thoughts on how future generations should remember her husband, she said "remember him as a man who tried to be a drum major for justice, a drum major for peace, a drum major for righteousness. Remember him as a man who refused to lose faith in the ultimate redemption of mankind."

Thus, each year on his birthday, Americans of all races, ethnicities, religions, and political beliefs renew their desire to be "drum majors" in the cause of seeking justice and equality for all. The movements for better treatment of women, the handicapped, and immigrant groups drew inspiration from Dr. King's "Dream." Furthermore, Dr. King's message of non-violent struggle against injustice has resonated throughout the world inspiring people to peacefully confront oppression in places as disparate as Soweto, South Africa to Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China.

Honduras is quite different from the U.S. of the 1950s and 1960s, yet as with other parts of the world, Dr. King's message of freedom has significance here. We are at a historic moment in the history of Honduras. There is a great opportunity for Hondurans to move this country forward into a new era of progressive development if people of good will are willing to stand up against the forces that would hold back this nation's progress. Similar to the U.S. of the King era, Honduras is at a crossroad, where leaders; civic, economic, and political, can take stock of where the nation is, choose where it must go, and decide how it must get there. The problems in Honduras are different from those faced by Dr. King but they are hardly unique. Confronting corruption, crime, and economic inequality will demand the same courage and self sacrifice required to battle racial injustice in the southern United States.

Hondurans, as all people throughout the world, are seeking good education, decent places to live, quality health care, jobs with a livable wages, public safety, and the possibility of an even better future for their children. The meaning that we should derive from Dr. King's legacy is that there is always hope for people who are willing to struggle to achieve their goals.

Dr. King's example demonstrates that no goal is unrealistic or impossible to achieve if people of good will are ready to strive and to sacrifice in order to achieve it. As we celebrate the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday each year, we want to encourage and support those agents of change in Honduras who are creating the groundswell for social justice and human dignity. They, and people like them throughout the world, are the true living legacy of the drum major for justice that gave his life in the cause of his fellow man.

Dear Editor,

It seems that Honduras This Week was much too kind in its front page story assessing the Zelaya administration's first year (January 27th). On Monday the 29th amid stories and paid ads touting the accomplishments of the administration The Heraldo published a poll saying that 79% of those interviewed felt there was corruption in the first year of Mel's presidency. The same day the UD party held a press conference saying the government was lying about having "reduced poverty, reduced levels of delinquency, bettered production, combated corruption and reduced the cost of the "canasta basica" or basket of basic family goods….."

A research center called FOSDEH (Foro Social de Deuda Externa y Desarrollo de Honduras) published "One Year of First Steps" and said that "President Zelaya is leading a personalized, not an institutionalized government with a curious mix of nationalism and populism." It is interesting that Liberal Party Congressman, Jorge Illyescas whom you interviewed is even harsher on fellow party member Mel than Christian Democrat Juan Ramon Martinez. Mel also is not getting along with the President of Congress who is of his own party. As FOSDEH says, "In total the National Congress had 108 sessions in this period of a year. Only 22 of those sessions were presided over by the President of Congress, Roberto Micheletti, who is more worried about how to become a presidential candidate of his Liberal Party even though it is against a recent law for the president of Congress to run for President of the country." If Congress were given an evaluation as were the Ministers, Micheletti and many others would not even pass minimum attendance standards.

Finally we have been inundated for days with four to six page full color paid ads on the "Accomplishments of the Government of Citizen Power." This is blatant partisan political propaganda paid with government funds. Shouldn't that be illegal as it is in most countries?

William O'Byrne
Tegucigalpa
Via internet