Arias Won't Mix Words With Micheletti

[Judi Lynn]

Costa Rica, Saturday 16 January 2010

Arias Won't Mix Words With Micheletti

Costa Rican president, Oscar Arias, has decided to stay out of the war of words with Honduras de facto president, Roberto Micheletti, who said that Arias does not have the moral right to judge the situation in Honduras after Arias publicly said he would be attending the transfer of powers ceremony in that country.

Arias, earlier this week, said that he would not attend the swearing in of Porfirio Lobo, who was elected president, if he is to receive the presidential sash from Micheletti.

Arias suggested that the sash be handed to Lobo by another government official rather than Micheletti, who headed the interim government in Honduras, a government that was not recognized by Costa Rica and many others, after the destituion of Honduras' president Manual Zelaya last June.

The transfer of powers ceremony is scheduled for January 27.

"This man (Arias) offends my country every time he speaks, we demand more respect for our president elect", said Micheletti in a strong statement to the press after learning of the Arias decision.

http://insidecostarica.com/dailynews/2010/january/16/costarica-10011607.htm

[Peace Patriot]

1. Uh, is he or isn't he going to attend the mock inauguration? (Arias?)

Passing the sash really is sort of a ridiculous issue. How about bringing the relatives of murdered anti-coup activists and the tortured prisoners to the ceremony? That would be meaningful. Who cares who gives this martial-law-selected rightwinger "the sash"? Frankly, US Sec of State Hillary Clinton should do it, or 'Defense' Sec Robert Gates, or Leon Panetta. They would be as appropriate as Mitcheletti, and Mitcheletti is perfectly appropriate. The rightwing military coup, headed by Micheletti, gave the office to a rightwinger. Why object to who passes "the sash," and not to the death squads and other horrors?

I DO understand how something like that can become the symbol for something much bigger. But given Arias role as US delay agent in legitimizing the coup, I think he's just trying to save some of his lofty Nobel Peace Prize dignity with Costa Ricans and with the rest of the leaders of Latin America, by making a fuss about "the sash."

Or maybe Jim DeMint (Puke-SC) should be passing "the sash" to the (s)elected president of Honduras? He seems to be our real Sec of State.

[rabs]

2. Arias may go after all

Goriletti has said he will NOT attend the ceremony and the turning over of the sash is to be done by the president of the National Congress. So that lets Arias off his pledge to NOT attend if goriletti is at the ceremony.

The National Soccer Stadium in Teguz is being readied for the ceremony. Goriletti regime will station 5,000 police and troops in and outside the stadium to prevent any demonstration by the Resistance. Expect the stadium will be filled by the "white shirts."


Hugo Llorens today confirmed that there would be a U.S. representation at the inaugural but he did not reveal who or what level U.S. official would attend.

[Peace Patriot]

3. Thanks for the info, rabs! Arias BS is what it looks like. Why doesn't he go stand on

the OTHER SIDE of the 5,000 troops WITH the people of Honduras?

I hope he's getting his ears burned off by the other leaders of Latin America. That's what the thing about "the sash" tells me. His rep has taken a beating.