El Gringo Nica

No question about where Col. North would stand!

Wrong Again
By Oliver North

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Friday, 3 July 2009

WASHINGTON — It took the Obama administration eight days to figure out whether Iranians being gunned down for   protesting a fraudulent election and demanding basic civil liberties deserved to be acknowledged by the president of   the United States. It took the O-Team less than eight hours to side with Cuba’s Fidel Castro, Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez and Nicaragua’s Daniel Ortega over the ouster of Manuel Zelaya in Honduras.

As we now have come to expect, Mr. Obama got it wrong again, but this time, nobody noticed. The U.S. news media,  preoccupied with the sudden demise of Michael Jackson, ignored the event in Central America. For those who care about things more important than the passing of a “pop music legend,” here’s the rest of the story:

Manuel Zelaya, a wealthy rancher and agribusiness executive and a self-described “poor farmer,” won a four-year term as Honduran president in November 2005, with 49.8 percent of the vote. Article 374 of the Honduran Constitution bars the nation’s chief executive from serving consecutive terms. Apparently, one term wasn’t enough for Zelaya, a protégé of Venezuela’s strongman, Hugo Chavez, and Nicaragua’s phobic anti-American leader, Daniel Ortega.

Late last year, as the Honduran economy tanked and unemployment grew to nearly 28 percent, Zelaya forced Elvin Santos, the country’s elected vice president, to resign and began holding conversations with Chavez and Ortega on how to hold on to power. In lengthy Chavez-like populist speeches, he denounced the U.S. and wealthy landowners and linked himself with leftists in the Honduran labor movement. On March 23, he issued an executive decree directing a national referendum on a Venezuela-style constituent assembly to rewrite the country’s constitution in time for presidential and legislative elections in November. The Obama-Clinton State Department was mute about all of this.

Unfortunately for Zelaya’s aspirations, the Honduran Constitution requires that amendments be passed by a two-thirds vote of the country’s unicameral Congress during two consecutive sessions. By late May, the Honduran Congress, the Honduran Supreme Court, the commissioner for human rights, and the Honduran electoral tribunal all had overwhelmingly declared the referendum unconstitutional. Zelaya ignored the people’s representatives, had ballots printed in Venezuela, and announced that the vote would take place June 28. Again, the O-Team was silent.
In keeping with the rule of law, Honduran Attorney General Luis Alberto Rubi took the case to court. The Honduran Supreme Court ruled the referendum to be illegal and ordered the ballots to be confiscated. Late on June 23, Zelaya countermanded the court order and directed the army to distribute the ballots. Gen. Romeo Vasquez, the chief of staff of the Honduran military, sought legal opinions and decided not to distribute them. The following day, Zelaya accepted the resignation of the minister of defense, Edmundo Orellana, and fired Vasquez.

The Honduran Supreme Court unanimously ruled the Vasquez firing illegal and reinstated him June 25. That prompted Zelaya and a group of supporters to seize the ballots and issue another executive decree, which directed government officials to set up 15,000 polling stations at schools and community buildings across the country. In response to a request from Attorney General Rubi, the Honduran Congress — controlled by Zelaya’s own Liberal Party — opened an investigation into the president’s mental stability and fitness to govern. Zelaya replied with a two-hour broadcast harangue, in which he claimed: “Congress cannot investigate me, much less remove me or stage a technical coup against me, because I am honest. I’m a free president, and nobody scares me.”

On Sunday, just hours before the referendum was to begin, the Honduran army, acting on a warrant issued by the Honduran Supreme Court, arrested Zelaya and sent him, in his pajamas, into exile in Costa Rica. The Honduran Congress affirmed Zelaya’s departure and, in accord with the constitution, named Roberto Micheletti, who had been president of the Congress, as interim president of the country.

It has been downhill from there. Chavez, Ortega, Castro and Bolivia’s Evo Morales immediately condemned the “coup” and demanded that Zelaya be restored to power. Chavez went so far as to threaten military action. When asked about these events Sunday, the O-Team punted the issue to the Organization of American States, calling for “all political and social actors in Honduras to respect democratic norms, the rule of law and the tenets of the Inter-American Democratic Charter.” Now there’s a powerful statement of support for a constitutional process and the institutions of democracy. Meanwhile, the Clinton State Department is said to be looking at cutting off aid to the impoverished country.

The O-Team doesn’t seem to grasp that simply holding an election does not guarantee a democracy. Adolf Hitler was elected. Hugo Chavez was elected. The Castro brothers were “elected.” When potentates decide that the rule of law does not matter, that constitutional restrictions on power can be overcome by executive fiat, the people inevitably  suffer. It’s a point to remember as we celebrate our own nation’s 233rd Independence Day.

According to an opinion poll conducted in June, 2009 the majority of Nicaraguans want significant changes in how their country is run and want to avoid other changes that would threaten democracy. The survey did ask two questions that seem a little frivolous, given the current economy: is there zero hunger? and is there zero unemployment? — two promises made by Ortega during the election. Not strange that over 60% said no! But, it is a little strange that 35% thought there was no hunger in Nicaragua and 28% thought Nicaragua had full employment! Where in the world have these people been over the last two years?

Opinion on to critical current issues were overwhelmingly against many of the changes that President Ortega wants to implement.

• Eliminate term limits for the President: 61% NO.
• Change from a presidential to a parliamentary system: 59% NO
• Require at least a 50% plus 1 vote to win a presidential election in the first round (Orgeta won with around 30%): 62% YES
• Put independent individuals (not affiliated with the government or political parties) on the election commission (this commission is accused of backing voter fraud in the last elections and is controlled by the FSLN): 79% YES
• Create an independent organization to manage civil registration (voter) and national identity cards (which a citizen must have to vote and work, among other things): 83% YES

The “pro” opinions on the questions dealing with presidential succession and/or retaining power coincides closely with the number of FSLN voters — around 33%.

[Data taken from La Prinsa, 8 July, 2009]

The local papers have been reporting that a “resistance movement” has begun to appear in Nicaragua’s mountainous north. The Government denies this but the Church says it know that something is up. [Much of the following is taken from "The Nica Times & Central America News". You can find them click here]

It is certain that there is an active resistance movement in the eastern coast of Nicaragua (the Mosquito Coast). This area is composed of two geographic political units – the RAAN (the Northern Atlantic Autonomous Region) and the RAAS (the Southern Atlantic Autonomous Region) — meaning that the Indians there are to have autonomous control of their governments. In reality, they have had little control, as the national government actually appoints a governor to both Regions.

A separatist movement has formed (the Moskitia Community Nation) and there have been some violent confrontations with the government (police), with reports of at least 6 deaths on the separatist side. Many of the Moskitia Indians fought the Sandinistas in the 1980’s, so they have some experience with resistance.

Most of longstanding issues revolve around control of natural resources in the Regions (mining, oil, logging and fishing). The current conflict is over lobster divers: their pay, faulty and inadequate equipment and working conditions in general. Recently, pay for divers was reduced to $1.50/lb (from $3.50/lb last year), then, due to pressure from the “Nation”, pay was increased to $2.50/lb. [note: US lobster fishermen are getting between $4 and $5/lb] Divers say the new pay rate covers only about 50% of their living expenses (they must pay boat owners for food, lodging and anything else they may consume while on the boat (usually 11 days). They want an additional $5.00/lb, which the owners say they cannot pay due to reduced demand (prices) for lobsters.

Gringo comment: The owners are probably right. Any data I can find suggests that a wholesale price of $5.00/lb, less transportation to markets is about the best they can do.There has been a massive worldwide exploitation of lobsters, with the result that supplies are high, and have been for some time. Even a non-economist knows that constant or lower demand with increasing supplies means lower prices.

Bad news! there is some expectation that wholesale prices will drop to $2 to $3/lb later this year. The unfortunate lobster men (who have been striking) may find that the owners are inflexible — more unrest!

Anyone have a suggestion – comment.

Boxing fans will remember Alexis Arguello as one of the few boxers to simultaneously hold three boxing titles.  Recently, Alexis entered politics within the FSLN (Nicaragua’s Sandinista Party).  He was vice Mayor of Managua and in 2008 was “elected” Mayor in an election that many think was full of voter fraud. Alexis did not want to be mayor.  He wanted to be Minister of  Sports (see letter below) and  Alexis would have been a GREAT Minister of Sports.  He was not prepared to be mayor.  In addition, the mayor’s office was so compartmentalized (by his “boss”) that Alexis had no power to influence any of the activities executed by his office and in his name. Alexis was under a lot of pressure from his friends and the local press for what appears to be a lot of corruption and fraud in the Mayor’s office. ( I count myself  a friend – we were golfing partners and actually won a tournament as partners – but I had little contact with him after the election.) According to people who knew Alexis best, he wanted to resign but was convinced that he should not.  So,  under stress and disappointment he took his life Wensday, July 1.  The letter below – which most of us believe was written by Alexis – explains it all. “A mi familia, mis amigos y a mi pueblo: Cuando lean esta carta, la noticia la conocerá todo el mundo. La decisión fue difícil, pero ya estaba cansado de vivir con la tortura de verme prisionero en mi misma cárcel de la envidia, el egoísmo, la falsedad y el engaño. Mi vida siempre fue difícil, pero gracias a Dios encontré a gente buena como el Dr. Eduardo Román, Renzo Bagnariol, Edgar Tijerino, Francisco López, Evelio Areas Mendoza, Enrique Armas, el Dr. Pedro Sequeira y muchos otros amigos. La fama siempre me trajo complicaciones como las mujeres, los vicios y el desorden; por eso me case 4 veces y tuve 8 hijos, con 3 nietos, a quienes adoro y les pido perdón. No culpo a nadie por mi decisión pero quiero dar testimonio de algunas cosas que me obligaron a partir de este mundo. Yo no tenía necesidad de meterme a la política; lo hice porque me lo pidió Francisco López, un hombre honesto y bueno que me ayudo a salir del mundo de las drogas en varias ocasiones. Por eso acepte ser vice alcalde con Nicho. Cuando ganó la presidencia el compañero Daniel yo le pedí que me diera el ministerio de deportes, porque quería ayudar a la juventud, pero la compañera Rosario me dijo que el comandante Daniel tenía otra idea para mí: la alcaldía de Managua. No quería aceptar pero me convenció Chico López, a quien yo le debía mi salvación cristiana. En la campaña trabajamos con la compañera Rosario, Cuaresma, Nicho, Payo Ortega, José Luis Villavicencio, Lenin Cerna, Fidel Moreno y otros más; algunas veces incluso el comandante Daniel participo en las reuniones de trabajo. La elección no fue como esperábamos y tuvimos que hacer cosas que a mí no me gustaron. Yo hubiera querido ganar limpiamente porque yo estaba aseguro que la gente me conocía y votarían por mí, pero al final todo se vino abajo porque la gente del partido no salió a votar y eso empaño mi triunfo. Después de asumir la alcaldía, las intrigas, pleitos y serruchaderas de piso de Daysi Torres y Fidel Moreno, quienes diariamente llevaban cuechos a Daniel y Rosario me hastiaron. No me dejaban ni nombrar a un CPF y eso me molestó mucho. El jueves pasado, le pedí a Fidel Moreno que me ayudara a conseguir una reunión con el presidente y la compañera Rosario y me dijo que iba a hacer la gestión. El lunes le pregunte y me dijo que los compañeros estaban ocupados con el problema de Honduras. Yo llame a varios teléfonos de la compañera Rosario y me contesto finalmente el lunes en la mañana y me pegó una regañada como que fuera su hijo menor y me dijo que ya estaba cansada de mis locuras. Esa noche, el lunes caí nuevamente en el refugio de las drogas; ya tenía 4 meses de estar limpio como bien sabe Chico López porque él me mandaba a hacer los exámenes de doping semanalmente. Bebí y me drogue todo el lunes y el martes en la mañana llame a la secretaria y me dijeron que no podían atenderme ni la llamada. Depuse me llamo Payo Ortega para decirme que me iban a mandar a Cuba para que me atendieran unos siquiatras porque estaban cansados de mis jodederas y que estaba loco y que ellos estaban ocupados para estar oyendo las quejas de un drogadicto. Eso me dolió muchísimo. No pude dormir y tome la decisión de escribir esta carta de despedida. No quiero condecoraciones, ni discursos, ni banderas roja y negra ni nada que venga de Daniel y Rosario, ni de su hijo Payo ni de Cuaresma, ni de los otros que me hicieron daño. Únicamente reconozco como hermano a Chico López, con quien varias veces compartí mis problemas en la alcaldía y con compañeros del frente. El sabe que lo que digo, es verdad. Ojala que reflexiones y que no le suceda a Daniel y Rosario lo que le paso al presidente de Honduras, pues al paso que van, eso les va a suceder, pues solo viven pensando en reelecciones y en que los CPC manden y controlen a todo el mundo. Le pido perdón a mi esposa, a mis hijos y a todos mis amigos. Me cansé de la política, la hipocresía y el engaño. No quiero seguir siendo usado, otra vez. Le pido perdón a todos los que me quieren también. Cuiden la democracia y no se dejen engañar por los que me engañaron a mi.”

The answer depends on your politics. Many of us are surprised at the United States response condemning the “coup”– reminds us of the Carter years, when much of Central America was “lost”. For a “local” view see Click here

Also, here is a note from one who would know!

Checking accounts can be opened in local banks. Accounts can be dollar and/or cordoba denominated. It takes about 3 weeks for a check written on a U.S. bank for deposit in a local account to clear.

Major credit cards are accepted at most stores. Also, credit and debit cards can be obtained from local banks (presuming that you have a local bank account). However, you need to be very careful with your cards. Unless it has changed recently, banks do not seem to have limits on the number of transactions permitted per day (which opens the possibility of massive theft if your card and pin are stolen).

Also be aware – some banks have VERY high interest rates on unpaid balances. Check around.

Water is provided by Enecal. The entire country has a sever potable water supply problem. IN Managua, water is cut on a regular basis. Some customers do not have water all day, others all night. Most of us have large water storage tanks organized for gravety feed and many have pumps attached to that system.

Direct TV (lately purchased by Sky) provides satellite TV . The programming does not include U.S. news stations. There are other satellite TV options, notably Satelinet (which I use and find very good ).

Enetel has a cable TV system, but has not yet completely installed its system. I went to subscribe, but the (one) individual who could do it was absent. I may or may not return.

Internet is provided by the telephone company (Enitel), by the cable TV company (Estesa), by IBW (sorry, I have to get more info about them), and by Satelinet – via satilite.

Enitel provides service by phone and a radio based system (TurboNet). I have Turbonet, which has been excellent, relatively stable and I have found their service response to be quite good — but it is not cheap!

I have recently subscribed to the phone based internet system (which provides a wireless connection in the home via the phone line) and find it to be excellent (once the problem with basic phone service was resolved).

The biggest problem has been basic phone service because of line theft and/or old and badly maintained wire. Enitel has been upgrading the system and (for me at least) it now works quite well! So good in fact that I an going to cancel my radio based system.

I am also told that Enitel plans to introduce a satellite-based connection via a plugin card.