Wednesday, October 05, 2011

FACT AND FICTION IN HONDURAS

by John Kotula


President Obama will host President Porfirio Lobo of Honduras at the White House on Wednesday, October 5 . . . 

The State Dinner Menu

First
Jicama with Oranges, Grapefruit, and Pineapple
Citrus Vinaigrette


Wine: Ulises Valdez Chardonnay 2007 “Russian River”

The President looks forward to discussing a broad range of bilateral and regional economic and security issues…
 
Medardo Flores, a radio journalist who supported former President Manuel Zelaya, was gunned down on the night of 8 September, joining the long list of journalists who have been killed since Zelaya’s ouster in a June 2009 coup.

Second
Herb Green Ceviche of Hawaiian Opah
Sesame-Cilantro Cracker

 
The President also welcomes the opportunity to underscore the strong bonds of friendship between the American and Honduran people…

September 7…a fervent supporter of former President Manuel Zelaya has been shot to death… Mahadeo Roopchand Sadloo was shot five times Wednesday inside the tire shop he owned. ...Roopchand Sadloo was a naturalized Honduran citizen from India and he often led protests by the National Popular Resistance Front... more than 200 members of the movement have been killed since the coup and... none of the cases have been solved.

Main
Oregon Wagyu Beef in Oaxacan Black Mole
Black Bean Tamalon and Grilled Green Beans


Wine: Herrera Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 “Selección Rebecca”

…as well as President Lobo’s efforts to restore democratic and constitutional order in Honduras…

Osmin Obando Cáceres (age 22), son of Eliodoro Cáceres, Coordinator of the National Popular Resistance Front (FNRP) in Tela, department of Atlántida, has been disappeared since Sunday, June 13, 2010 at 4:30 PM when he was driving his taxi and told his family that he couldn’t speak to them by phone because he was surrounded by police.

Dessert
Chocolate-Cajeta Tart
Toasted Homemade Marshmallows
Graham Cracker Crumble and Goat Cheese Ice Cream

Wine: Mumm Napa “Carlos Santana Brut” N/V

 
…and the country’s return to the Organization of American States earlier this year.

…there were two police/military raids on the same community (Los Rigores- September 16, 19) in which 22 people were temporarily detained, tortured and threatened with death. A 16 yr old was drenched in gasoline by the police and threatened with being burned.

Author's note: The language of this poem was drawn from The White House website, White House Press releases, news articles, and statements from human rights groups.

John Kotula is an artist and writer who lives in Peace Dale, Rhode Island. He was a Peace Corps volunteer in Honduras from 2005 through 2007.
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