Honduras Requests OAS Examination

Honduras Requests OAS Examination

Friday 26 June 2009, San José, Costa Rica

Washington - Honduran Ambassador to the Organization of American States, Carlos Sosa, confirmed the petition of a special meeting of the OAS Permanent Council to discuss the situation in his country.

According to the diplomat, the meeting will contribute to seek support from the OAS Council to Honduran democratic institutions, as internal confrontation among different sectors increase.

At the initiative of the Honduran government, an opinion poll will be carried out on Sunday to gauge the people's backing of future votations on what will be the starting point to convene a National Constituent Assembly and reform the Constitution.

Though popular sectors support the proposal, there is an ever increasing social polarization in Honduras, according to press reports.

As part of confrontations, the Commander of the Joint General Staff was dismissed and the minister of Defense resigned, announced Honduras President Manuel Zelaya.

Ambassador Sosa explained that his government also wants the OAS to send a support mission to facilitate rapprochement between parties in conflict and strengthen institutional, democratic normalcy.

OAS experts expected to observe the referendum on June 28 in Honduras withdrew in the last few hours and the regional organization has not answered to the Honduran call so far. Hondurans May Reform Constitution

Tegucigalpa - The Honduran government said it was willing to hold a vote of confidence Sunday on a possible constitutional reform in spite of Congressional maneuvers to prevent it.

In a survey on June 28 citizens must decide if they support a fourth ballot in the general elections to hold a Constituent Assembly and Reform of the Constitution.

This consultation cannot be stopped because it is the demand of the people for participative and not representative democracy, said President Manuel Zelaya in answer to Congressional prohibition to hold referendums and plebiscites 180 days before and after elections.

Sectors of the oligarchy, business and religious personalities rejected the government initiative that has, however, the support of popular leaders, campesinos, intellectuals and left wing politicians.

"The consultation assures fulfillment of the universal postulate that democracy is a power of the people, for the people and by the people," affirms a manifesto signed by 30 renowned artists and academics.

Detractors insist that the intention of the president is to extend his mandate although Zelaya has promised to hand over power in 2010 as required by law.

The Electoral Supreme Court and Supreme Court of Justice ruled the consultation illegal and threatened the former Labor Minister, German Leitzelar with sentences between 10 and 15 years for those who support the call for a Constituent Assembly.

The Honduran Constitution dates back to 1982 and contains seven fixed articles that cannot be reformed referring to the form of government, territory and presidential period.

According to the president the current Constitution makes it impossible to make profound transformations to eradicate destitution and inequality in the country in which 7 of every 10 persons live in conditions of poverty and extreme poverty.

ENDS

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