Two Charged Spheres Connected

Spoilt for choice - way of democratic transformation in Honduras

articles from the magazine Latin America News LN 440

a half years after the coup, the Honduran democracy movement FNRP (Frente Nacional de Resistencia Popular) still active. Their diminishing presence on the streets and in the mainstream media, the criminalization and suppression of opposition currents through the state apparatus and the international recognition of the regime of the Frente do Lobo, it is not easy. Lobo tries to dispel with a discourse of national reconciliation and apparent concessions to the opposition. Therefore it is essential that the Frente continue with clean the backing of the population maintains

Currently there are highly sensitive internal discussions about the possible future scenarios. Is, by what means democratic Redesign of Honduras take place? Should continue to be recorded in a non-recognition of the damage after the coup regime and sought through mobilization and pressure from below, a new constitution and new foundation be? Or is it realistic to tilt in for participation in the next elections in 2013 Step by Step inside and outside the stable equilibrium? Spoilt for choice (s) ... radical and moderate transformation are facing today. An important decision in the Latin American context of the 'New Left' has had to face many social movements, which produce equally productive discussion processes, or debilitating splitting tendencies can.

Whether and how the Frente will agree on a common line, decides on 26 February in a large gathering. In this, the current level of 56 provisional delegates be increased to about 600, to guarantee the representation of all departments and social sectors.

M agdalena Heuwieser discussed with Carlos H. Reyes and Sara Eliza Rosales about their ideas on the future of the resistance movement.

Carlos H. Reyes is president of the union STIBYS. Even before the coup he had erected as an independent presidential candidate for the 2009 elections, but eventually boycotted this together with the resistance movement. Currently he is senior member of the FNRP and is committed to a solution off the "coup-institutional" field.

What is your position on the future of the resistance movement in Honduras?

this, I read an excerpt from the best of my speech I recently before 3 I Congress of the European Left Party held in December in Paris: The way we designed have is that of the call for a national constituent assembly, which is fundamental, from the people, involving all sectors and aims at the reestablishment of the state. This would have the task to draft a new constitution as a result of a social and political pact, consisting of renowned actors, representatives of all social, economic and political sectors to equip them with legitimacy. This is the essential step to overcome the political crisis. If this succeeds, we can take the problems of backwardness and dependency in a peaceful way in attack. This process is anything but easy. We in the Frente large Debates and contradictions. Such contradictions have, such as José Martí said, conduct in-depth discussions on ideological solutions. In the 19th Century Karl Marx taught us that "every social struggle is politically, socially and every political struggle." Our enemies have succeeded in the social and political struggle in most countries auseinanderzudividieren the world.

Is that different today in Honduras?

As a result of the coup, we've done in Honduras, the social and the political element in the Frente together. From the intelligence of the Hondurans to avoid this division to continue to depend on the future of our country and its founding. We struggle for the Constituent Assembly, the return of exiles, including the coordinator of the Frente, Manuel Zelaya and the respect of life and human rights. We define ourselves as anti-imperialist, anti-neoliberal, anti-patriarchal and anti-racist. All we have done together. Therefore, we believe that we are now able to Hondurans not make the mistake of separating the social and political struggle. Once we have a new constitution, we need for one, its corresponding new electoral law occur, the participation in elections not only for political parties and independent candidates provides, but also social and political organizations such as the Frente. That would be a new way to make policy and an achievement for the democratization of our country.

while ... have to make-do sections of society previously pushed successfully for the military.

The Honduran oligarchy has long claimed that not a Constituent Assembly was constitutional. Zelaya was overthrown under the pretext of wanting to consult the people about such a meeting. Winning the argument of part of the Frente, the government and two-thirds of the seats in the next elections in 2013 can, then to a Constituent Assembly convened, will meet with the oligarchy in the same answer to the constitutional inadmissibility. Apart from that, if no electoral success should adjust to this extent, we would legitimize the regime.

How can you even imagine a Constituent Assembly convened in practice?

This is not a Constituent Assembly, which is legally effective immediately, but by the representative of various sectors of the country would be equipped with legitimacy - including entrepreneurs, but obviously not the coup proponents.

Thus, a new social pact to be closed, which is very well have a political impact. We thus reach the public a consciousness-raising process and an organization to defend the Constitution and to ensure that the next elections fail 2013th I'm not saying that's fast and easy. How long did it take to topple the dictatorship of Pinochet and Franco?

Are not all parts of the resistance movement behind this idea?

No. Some sectors of the Frente disagree with and now share a stake in the elections, because that is the easy way. But that they are not the problems To solve it instead will go on as always. They believe that they are a party to the legs and thus at once could win the election. I think that would rather get out a lot of small parties and small alliances. Apart from that, means the power division in the party and Frente, again to separate the political and social forces.

Eliza Sara Rosales delegates is in the line of FNRP, financial officer and part of the political committee. Even at age 15, she was active at left-wing youth movements, and later in student unions, and finally in unions. It is among the growing group that advocates for the participation in elections.

is it different in the Frente positions regarding the future of the movement. What options are debated?

are as the following discussion: for a general strike, conditions are lacking. The union movement is weakened, with more than 70% of temporary workers who are not on strike. There are Honduras no real unions in the private sector in addition to the STIBYS and two or three more. The others are unions of state employees, a strike which also cost the job would.

The armed struggle or a riot in Honduras is not an option. There were times when circumstances may have been, accordingly, now this is true, much less. The Honduran population has no tradition of struggle such as El Salvador and Nicaragua. We were always a more peaceful country. The Frente has chosen a peaceful path method. A peaceful uprising, I see not as bad, but we will not be on the road for years. Practice shows that our movement is weaker, because the people are exhausted. They are doing poorly financially, they want to see concrete results. After 18 months, they first think of how it can now go on really.

Participation in the elections is the proposal for which I advocate. This concerns specifically relating to the seizure of power, for control of the state. This is a historic opportunity to these dynamics, we can not afford to fall flat. For thousands of us, this is obvious. From there, we would convene a Constituent Assembly.

Are there people who see it differently?

Comparatively small groups are calling for a parallel power to state power and for an arbitrary convene a National Constituent Assembly . I think we could talk about the issue a separate notice, but not seen as a parallel power. In practice, there is no such parallel power and we will not be the first working example. The Zapatistas may have their own freedom, but what about the rest of the country? A parallel might have meant a part of the military to have on our side, on established structures and a high degree of self-financing support to be able to But all that is not here. We also need to be aware that such a constitution would be neither binding nor would legality.

So you see no sense in a matter of convening a Constituent Assembly?
Yes, but it must be clear to us that this will only be something between us. In this country there are other social, economic and political forces. In a constituent assembly, all sectors must be represented, whether we like it or not. A country is not just the resistance, and if we want the constitution is accepted by all, it needs more. That is, I support an independent calling of a Constituent Assembly, understood as a political action by which we achieve a more organic cohesion.

would look like to participate in elections, specifically?

If we make the decision in February to go to the elections, we must create a political vehicle to use. The Frente would continue as a broad social movement diversified and in parallel there was a party, which then could eventually participate in elections and this would represent the interests of the Frente.

addition of a party there are people who up to two months before the election independent candidates do, but that is not in this case then.

In the last election I supported the independent candidacy of Carlos H. Reyes, but this time I would not do that. It is pointless to be represented in the executive power, if we are not in Congress and the Supreme Court and do not have mayors. We should make up at least thirty deputies.

Do not you think that there will be voter fraud?

is this possibility. Participating in elections are a serious organizational work, among other things, to protect against voter fraud. The Frente would enter a new phase - to be held only in resistance, it was about positive action.

there have ideas about what real people are made of such a party would be?

No, because nothing is decided. The Liberals, of course, interest. But it would be premature to think about it, because still nothing has been decided.

When Zelaya came back into the country, that would advance the situation and create a greater dynamic range. Therefore, the oligarchy is so much against the fact that he comes back. With his return, he would very quickly a series of events trigger. This does not mean that he would be the candidate because he can not finally be.

there is a possibility that the Frente splits?

decide if the Frente, participate in elections, that does not mean they should abandon the social struggle in the street. You can combine the two.

will probably not agree that people with very radical positions with turnout, but this will be few. The vast majority will solidify the decision, after all it is a democratic decision. Consensus would of course best, but the Frente does have no common ideology. I do not care that we all think the same. Everyone has their own opinion and is respected. The Frente is characterized by its diversity. What is important is a programmatic entity, that is, joint programs and strategies that help us to the creation of Honduras.