Public Intelligence

A large external current account deficit, combined with a sharp decline in net capital inflows (due to global and domestic factors) could result in a balance of payments deficit of close to US$300 million in 2009 (11 percent of gross reserves at end-2008). On current policies, reserves could reach critically low levels by 2010–11. The growth slowdown also poses a threat to the financial system.

US Southern Command is the recognized partner of choice and center of excellence for regional security affairs within a hemisphere of escalating importance; organized to support defense of the homeland and focused on achieving regional partnerships which …

•Are committed to democratic values and principles;
•Demonstrate respect for human rights;

It is not easy being the deposed president of a small Central American country. Staying in the headlines, and engaging the conflicting interests of larger, more powerful neighbours requires the talents of a trapeze artist.

The United States is turning up pressure on the Honduran government installed by a coup — and the businessmen who support it — warning that they will face severe sanctions if ousted President Manuel Zelaya is not restored to power. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called interim President Roberto Micheletti to say there would be serious consequences if his government ignores international mediation for Zelaya’s return.

Reporting from Tegucigalpa, Honduras — One day after the Honduran military prevented him from landing at his capital’s airport, ousted President Manuel Zelaya said he would meet with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in Washington — then take another run at going home. The session with Clinton, scheduled for today, would be the highest-level contact by the Obama administration with the leftist leader, who was deposed in a coup just over a week ago.

Sometimes, the whole world prefers a lie to the truth. The White House, the United Nations, the Organization of American States, and much of the media have condemned the ouster of Honduran President Manuel Zelaya this past weekend as a coup d’état.

President Obama on Monday strongly condemned the ouster of Honduras’s president as an illegal coup that set a “terrible precedent” for the region, as the country’s new government defied international calls to return the toppled president to power and clashed with thousands of protesters. “We do not want to go back to a dark past,” Mr. Obama said, in which military coups override elections. “We always want to stand with democracy,” he added.