Congressman Connie Mack (FL-14) sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today urging her to support the people of Honduras and call on Manuel Zelaya not to accept a return to power.

Mack’s letter to Secretary Clinton follows:

July 17, 2009

Dear Secretary Clinton:

I write to you today to seek your support for the people of Honduras.

On June 28, 2009, just hours before polls were to open for an illegal and unconstitutional referendum, the Honduran military arrested Mr. Manuel Zelaya as ordered by the Supreme Court. He was then later exiled from the country to protect his personal safety and the safety of the Honduran people.

As many legal scholars have observed, pursuant to a self-executing article in the Honduran Constitution, Mr. Zelaya immediately ceased the discharge of his duties as President of Honduras when he aggressively moved to change Article 239 of the Honduran Constitution. Mr. Zelaya’s effort to alter the Constitution was ruled illegal by the Honduran courts, and later, the Honduran Congress voted by an overwhelming majority to remove Mr. Zelaya from office.

There are some who have called what occurred on June 28 a “military coup.” I strongly disagree. It is clear that the Constitution and the rule of law of Honduras was respected and followed by all branches of the government in the lawful removal of Mr. Zelaya. Those who have called this a military coup are both reckless and irresponsible, and have further inflamed this crisis.

On July 7, Costa Rican President Oscar Arias was named to mediate this issue. It is my understanding that negotiators are meeting in Costa Rica this Saturday to re-start negotiations. Certainly, the conclusion of these discussions must include adherence to both the Honduran Constitution and to the rule of law. Further, they must include elections in the fall that are both free and fair.

Nonetheless, while diplomats and leaders endeavor to reach a peaceful resolution, Mr. Zelaya has publicly called for an armed insurrection in Honduras. Furthermore, Mr. Zelaya has stated that he and his supporters plan to take action inside the country this weekend.

Madam Secretary, Mr. Zelaya must not return to Honduras until a peaceful conclusion and an agreement by all parties has been reached that respects both the rule of law and the Honduran Constitution. Mr. Zelaya has already attempted to thrust Honduras into violence when he attempted to land in Tegucigalpa on July 5, 2009. This bloody day marked the first death of what has been a fateful set of circumstances for Honduras. Against your public and private appeals, Mr. Zelaya has chosen to put the lives of thousands of Hondurans in danger and put his own ambitions ahead of the safety of the people of Honduras.

Should he attempt to return to Honduras, it is my opinion that chaos will ensue and the Honduran people will suffer. Therefore, I urge you to call on Mr. Zelaya not to return to Honduras as the lives of innocent men, women, and children are at stake. By taking this prudent step, we will be standing against the tyranny of Mr. Zelaya’s caudillo and will be defending the people of Honduras and their struggle for freedom, democracy and the rule of law.

Thank you for your leadership in the region and for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

CONNIE MACK

Member of Congress