September 25, 2009
No. 277
The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of State for the Americas, is presently in New York City at the United Nations, where he attended a special joint meeting of the Organization of American States and the EU on September 23, dedicated to finding a peaceful solution to the current situation in Honduras.
“Canada is committed to working with its partners in the Americas to find a peaceful resolution to the situation in Honduras,” said Minister of State Kent. “Such a resolution is critical for the safety and security of the Honduran people and the entire region.”
The Minister of State has held separate meetings and consultations with OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza and a number of foreign ministers from the Americas, including those of Costa Rica, Brazil, Jamaica, El Salvador and Panama. During those meetings, he encouraged common action in support of a peaceful, negotiated settlement that will ensure a process for reconciliation.
On September 24, Minister of State Kent spoke with Honduras’ President, Manuel Zelaya, and de facto leader Roberto Micheletti to urge them to show goodwill and flexibility in arriving at a peaceful and negotiated solution.
“I underlined the need for all parties to refrain from any incitement to violence and provocation, and to respect the inviolability of the Brazilian Embassy in Tegucigalpa, where President Zelaya is presently based,” said the Minister of State. “I also assured President Zelaya and Mr. Micheletti of Canada’s commitment to support the San José Accord as the basis for achieving an agreement which will allow the November 29 elections to proceed in a free and fair manner.”
Minister of State Kent also conveyed Canada’s readiness to assist the OAS, including by participating in any upcoming special missions to Honduras. The Minister of State participated in the previous mission, which visited Tegucigalpa from August 24 to 25.
For updated background information, please visit Situation in Honduras.
- 30 -
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Eleanor Johnston
Senior Special Assistant (Communications)
Office of the Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas)
613-947-8981
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
