(No. 364 - December 1, 2009 - 10:45 a.m. EST) The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas), today issued the following statement congratulating the people of Honduras on the country’s presidential and legislative elections last Sunday:
“Canada congratulates the Honduran people for the relatively peaceful and orderly manner in which the country’s elections were conducted. While Sunday’s elections were not monitored by international organizations such as the Organization of American States, we are encouraged by reports from civil society organizations that there was a strong turnout for the elections, that they appear to have been run freely and fairly, and that there was no major violence.
“The election results make it more important than ever for the parties to refocus their attention on implementing the Tegucigalpa-San José Accord. We call for strong political leadership on the part of Porfirio Lobo in forming a government of national unity to help Honduras move out of this lengthy political impasse and enable a speedy return to democratic rule and constitutional order.
“Canada calls on all Honduran stakeholders, including all branches of government, the private sector and civil society, to work together in a spirit of constructive reconciliation.”
For more information, please visit Elections in Honduras.
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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