22 September 2009

Statement on Situation in Honduras

U.S. urges all parties to refrain from actions that might provoke violence

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
September 22, 2009

STATEMENT BY IAN KELLY, SPOKESMAN

Situation in Honduras

The United States calls on all parties to remain calm and avoid actions that might provoke violence in Honduras, and place individuals at risk or harm.  We urge that all parties refrain from actions that would lead to further unrest.

We stress the need for dialogue; the United States supports the proposed mission by the Organization of American States to promote this dialogue.  We encourage the parties to sign and implement immediately the San Jose Accord, which remains the best approach to resolve this crisis.

We stress the importance of respecting the inviolability of the Embassy of Brazil in Tegucigalpa and the individuals on its premises.  We note with appreciation the de facto authority’s statement last night promising to respect the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, to which Honduras is a party.  Respect and protection for the inviolability of diplomatic premises is a universally accepted principle of international relations.

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