BELIZE CONDEMNS THE FORCEFUL REMOVAL OF HONDURAN PRESIDENT
June 29, 2009

The forceful over throw of Honduras president Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales has caused rave concerns and reactions from regional and international bodies. Since the military take over on Sunday, the Organization American States along SICA and ALBA countries have been clamoring for the reinstatement of Rosales. Today the Government of Belize sent out a release condemning the actions of the military. The Government of Belize condemns the actions of the military against the constitutional and democratically elected President, his expulsion from the country and the illegal detention of members of his cabinet. The Government also rejects any attempt to have him replaced as the President and joins the international community in calling for the return of the rule of law and restoration of democracy in Honduras. And lastly, the release says that the Government is actively engaged in regional and international consultations on these developments in Honduras and is seeking an international response to this unfolding crisis. According to media reports things have remained generally calm in Honduras, despite the fact that police fired tear gas at demonstrators earlier today. OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin today reiterated the OAS's position on the matter.

Albert Ramdin; Assistant Secretary General of the OAS

"Member States of the OAS in the strongest words condemns the coup and have requested and demanded the immediate, safe and unconditional return of President Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales to assume his constitutional functions. All of this is meant to be the input for the meeting of the Special session of the OAS General Assembly which will take place at the OAS Headquarters in Washington DC on Tuesday June 30th at four 0'clock whereby foreign minister's of the 34 member states will have the opportunity to listen to a report from the Ambassador from Honduras in Washington DC to the OAS on the then current situation in his country and also to listen to the Secretary General on the basis of the consultation he had in Central America with other heads of state."

Following the overthrow yesterday, President Zelaya was flown to Costa Rica on Sunday. Reports are that the Honduran Foreign Minister was also detained. According to OAS radio reports, based on the Inter-American Democratic Charter and laws that Govern the OAS Tuesday's special general assembly could see Honduras being suspended from the OAS.
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