Apparel companies support Honduran president -- well, sort of
Adidas Group, Nike Inc. and Gap Inc. introduced a joint letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday asking her to restore democracy in Honduras, adding that they will not take sides on this issue. The non-partisan stance is a bit of a facade, though, as the letter goes on to state that the companies find it "necessary in this case to join with the President of the United States, the governments of countries throughout the Americas, the Organization of American States, the UN General Assembly and the European Union in calling for the restoration of democracy in Honduras." That puts them pretty squarely on the side of President Manuel Zelaya. While they didn't come right out and say, "We support President Zelaya's return to Honduras," everyone else on that list has.
How to restore democracy is besides the point, the companies say, they just want it restored. Still, Lynda Yanz, executive director of Maquila Solidarity Network (a labor and women's rights organization who worked with them on the letter), said just getting these manufacturers who make products in Honduras to come out publicly and make a statement is a big deal, and required finesse. The matter is delicate and the letter used careful language to make clear the companies do not support a particular person, but support democracy, civil liberties and labor rights. Nike, adidas and a labor rights group working on the same issue? That is a big deal, too.
Yanz said the Hondurans who work in the factories have faced political pressure to join pro-coup demonstrations, as much of the private sector in Honduras favors the de facto government of Roberto Micheletti. The companies and labor group believes they are standing up for these workers' rights.
Other companies that manufacture products in Honduras have kept quiet. Yanz mentioned Hanes, Gildan, and Russell Athletic, which have factories in the country, among them.
"They say, 'We of course are in favor of democracy,' but we don't find that sufficient or acceptable," Yanz said. "We want to push more brands to play a positive role."
In the meantime, Secretary of State Clinton has a lot of sportswear on her side.
--Catherine Lyons
Photo: A police helmet sits on a fence in front of a military outpost at El Paraiso, Honduras. As the negotiations drag on, ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya has ensconced his government-in-exile in the Nicaraguan town of Ocotal, near the Honduran border, along with hundreds of supporters camped out in shelters. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
What I find so hard to believe is that in the 21st century people still believe that taking power by force is not a coup, that it is ok because the person overthrown was not of their liking. It is such a childish & naive way of addressing the very essence of democracy. If in Bush lowest hours, the Pentagon had overthrown him, would all those gung ho Republicans/ pro coup be so supportive ? I live in Honduras, & I am not pro Mel, I am pro democracy which is not pro Micheletti, & just because the military does not run the govt it does not mean we didn't have a coup that has given us an illegal govt. Some people should refer to the good ol' dictionary to reread what democracy & coup d'etat mean.
And I beg to differ from Mr. Alberto Chain post & our "enjoyment" of our liberties. Since the 28th of june we have had most of our liberties restricted in some way or another, liberty of press, circulation not to mention that all month we've been having govt imposed curfew every night, time when ALL basic liberties are suspended. Is that democracy ???
Posted by: Libertad | July 31, 2009 at 08:26 PM
These companies need to understand that IF indeed they want to support democracy, they would support the Honduras people who got rid of a Marxist in the image of Hugo Chavez and Ortega in Nicaragua. Did they not take the time to understand what's going on before supporting Clinton & Obama's position AGAINST the people of Honduras. What don't they get about a Congress that does not allow their President to become a dictator. That's not a coup. That's the LAW.
Posted by: Milena | July 31, 2009 at 04:07 PM
What do these companies (or the LA Times, for that matter) mean by "restore democracy?" Isn't that exactly what happened when Zelaya was legally ousted from the presidency for his unconstitutional machinations?
Posted by: Ronny | July 31, 2009 at 02:03 PM
While I found the article amusing, I was very encouraged by the informed responses included here below!
Well said my Catraco brothers! Viva La Constitution!
To the rest why don't you move to Cuba, or Venezuela if that's what you like to think of as a democratic society, because that is exactly what the X President was steering us into, in violation of the Honduran Constitution!
Posted by: Juan C | July 31, 2009 at 12:42 PM
I am an american in Honduras. I see these people fighting to preserve there right to vote for there president. They are trying to preserve their democracy. It is clearly the majority position. What happen to the US history of supporting efforts like this. Did it go out the window when Obama was elected.
Bob
Posted by: Bob T | July 31, 2009 at 12:31 PM
This is so transparent that it is almost laughable. Why?
Because the Labor Union loves Zelaya. He nearly doubled minimum wage in Honduras. On the surface, that sounds excellent but it proved to be hugel unpopular and destabilizing to the economy. On the same day the wage increase took effect, nearly every business had to lay off employees because the wage increase was unsupportable. Zelaya had been warned by govt leaders it was reckless to increase the minimum wage so much at once but he proceeded anyway. The former president wanted to build a major rift between business owners and workers. It was part of his plan to get them, the popular vote, to "rebel" with him so he could become another Chavez.
No doubt the Labor group threatened Adidas, Nike, and Gap to make a statement or the workers would strike. This is not about Democracy at all, because Honduras is currently operating in a democratic fashion. It's a political play by senior labor leaders for benefited greatly from presidential bribes when Zelaya was in power.
Posted by: Sean F | July 31, 2009 at 09:54 AM
Why is this situation framed that democracy must be restored? Isn't their congress taking this action legally, according to their constitution? Seems to me that democracy is acting. Isn't restoring Zelaya to power the most un-democratic thing to do?
Posted by: Jeff Duncan | July 31, 2009 at 08:56 AM
but support democracy, civil liberties and labor rights.
as a Honduran, I do not feel I have lost these rights. I support democracy, and the change on June 28 is our type of democracy, even if it lokks, and smells as a Coup.
between the two scenarios, Manuel Zelya and the "coup", i prefer the least damaging one, the so called "coup" which will take us to elections on November, and will provide us with a new democratically elected president.
The US, only wants Zelaya back, because it is theor bait to get Chavez the same way they got Noriega back in the 80s....
I am in the apparel company, and I understand the situation of these companies, they just want a more controlable atmosphere, which can be easilly access if the rest of the world would understand our type of democracy. Once they accept the new COUP goverment, they would have the democracy they need to keep their production
Posted by: Alberto Chain | July 31, 2009 at 08:19 AM
It is good to know which products many of us who believe in true democracy will never buy again. Thank you very much for this article!
Posted by: suyapa | July 30, 2009 at 08:46 PM