U.S. Commitment to Restore President Zelaya to Office

[The Straight Story]

The Secretary of State has made the decision, consistent with U.S. legislation, recognizing the need for strong measures in light of the continued resistance of the adoption of the San Jose Accord by the de facto regime and continuing failure to restore democratic, constitutional rule to Honduras.

The Department of State recognizes the complicated nature of the actions which led to the June 28 coup d’état in which Honduras’s democratically elected leader, President Zelaya, was removed from office. These events involve complex factual and legal questions, and the participants of both the – participation of both the legislative and judicial branches of government, as well as the military.

Restoration of the terminated assistance will be predicated upon a return of – to democratic, constitutional governance in Honduras.

The Department of State further announces that we have identified individual members and supporters of the de facto regime whose visas are in the process of being revoked.

A presidential election is currently scheduled for November. That election must be undertaken in a free, fair, and transparent manner. It must also be free of taint and open to all Hondurans to exercise their democratic franchise. And at this moment, we would not be able to support the outcome of the scheduled elections. A positive conclusion of the Arias process would provide a sound basis for legitimate elections to proceed. We strongly urge all parties to the San Jose talks to move expeditiously to agreement.

Obviously, we put out that statement this morning. The Secretary met for roughly an hour with President Zelaya early this afternoon. Their discussion – President Zelaya brought the Secretary up to date on his assessment of the current situation in Honduras. The Secretary explained to President Zelaya the decisions that she has made this morning, reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to restore President Zelaya to office as part of the Arias process leading to the election of a new government in Honduras.

But clearly, today’s action sends a clear message to the de facto regime that the status quo is unacceptable and that their strategy to try to run out the clock on President Zelaya’s term of office is unacceptable, and the time has come for all of the parties to sign the San Jose Accords.

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2009/sept/128656.htm#zelaya