U.S. has stake in Honduras

Miami Herald: Now that the interim leader of Honduras, Roberto Micheletti, is showing signs of flexibility regarding the return of ousted President Manuel Zelaya, the Obama administration should move quickly to bring the Honduran crisis to an end.

The administration may have been well intentioned in allowing the Organization of American States to act as the mediator, but the OAS-led effort failed to end the stalemate in the Central American country. Allowing Costa Rican President Oscar Arias to take the lead in resolving the issue became a necessary face-saving gesture for all parties, but Arias would probably be the first to acknowledge that he needs pressure from Washington to clinch an agreement.

Attention-getter

Washington finally responded by pulling the U.S. visas of four members of Micheletti’s interim government, the sort of gesture that conveys seriousness of purpose and has apparently gotten the attention of Zelaya’s opponents in Honduras.

The United States has a big stake in settling the Honduras crisis, and settling it quickly. The U.S. military presence at Palmerola is an important asset that must be protected by ensuring that Honduras remains both an ally and a stable democracy. The longer the crisis drags on, the weaker the appearance of U.S. diplomacy in its own region.

Zelaya, to be sure, is no friend of the United States, but this dispute is not about him. It is about sticking to constitutional procedures and keeping the military out of politics — a bad habit ... that should not be indulged by those who claim to have Honduras’ best interests in mind.