Zelaya, Lula
Ask For Bigger U.S. Role
In Solving Honduran Crisis
Brasilia - Ousted
Honduran President Manuel Zelaya and
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da
Silva on Wednesday called on the United
States to use more political influence to
help solve the Honduran crisis.
Zelaya, who was in Brazil for a visit,
called on the U.S. government to take more
measures such as trade sanctions against the
Honduran interim government. 70 percent of
the Honduran economy depends on the United
States.
Reaffirmed his support for Zelaya's
"immediate and unconditional" return to
Honduras, Lula said he would talk to his
U.S. counterpart Barack Obama on the issue
at an appropriate time.
But there wasn't a date set for the
conversation between the two leaders.
After the meeting, Brazilian Foreign
Minister Celson Amorim told the press that
Zelaya's return would largely depend on the
position of the United States.
"President Lula said that clearly we are
concerned by the delay (of Zelaya's return),
because as time passes, the possibility that
President Zelaya's legitimate elections
(scheduled for November) is weakening,"
Amorim said.
Zelaya was expected to end his term as
president at year-end.
"This depends on what the United States will
act," Amorim said.
"It must be a multilateral action. We
believe that actions should be conducted by
the OAS (Organization of American States),"
he added.
Zelaya was deposed in a June 28 military
coup. Following the coup, Brazil recalled
its ambassador from Honduras and suspended
cooperation with the Central American
nation.
Zelaya arrived in Brasilia Tuesday and was
welcomed by the Brazilian government with
honors for a head of state.
He will leave Thursday morning for Chile to
meet with President Michelle Bachelet. |
