Washington: The US on Thursday terminated millions of dollars of non-humanitarian aid
to the Honduras regime for failing to restore democratic rule after the ouster of president Manuel Zelaya.
An announcement in this regard was made by the State Department soon after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met the ousted Honduran president Zelaya.
The US had previously suspended its assistance to this Central American nation in the wake of the June 28 coup.
"(Hillary) Clinton made the decision recognising 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," Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs PJ Crowley told reporters the State Department briefing.
"Restoration of the terminated assistance will be predicated upon a return of – to democratic, constitutional governance in Honduras," Crowley said.
The United States has also identified individual members and supporters of the de facto regime whose visas are in the process of being revoked, he added.
Referring to the scheduled Presidential Election in Honduras, Crowley said 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, Crowley said.
"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," he said.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, September 04, 2009, 10:11