Chile and Panama call for swift restoration of democracy in Honduras

Translated by Brian Schwarz

Originally published Tuesday, December 15, 2009 in " Panamá América" (pa-digital.com.pa) under the heading Chile y Panamá llaman a restaurar "al más breve plazo" democracia en Honduras

SANTIAGO, CHILE - Chile and Panama today called for the “quickest possible” restoration of democracy and rule of law in Honduras, promising to support steps taken by Organization of American States (OAS) in the Central American country.

Panamanian foreign secretary Juan Carlos Varela and his Chilean counterpart Mariano Fernández made the call in a joint resolution signed following political meetings held today in Santiago.

After the meeting, both appeared before the press and were asked about the differences of opinion Chile and Panama have expressed with regard to recognizing the November 29 elections, won by conservative Porfirio Lobo.

Panama is one of the few countries that have recognized the elections, while Chile maintains its rejection of [Ecuador’s] electoral process.

“There has been some discussion, because there have been new events in Honduras, and I believe that (both countries) now hold a very similar position,” Fernández said.

Meanwhile, Varela, who also serves as Panama’s vice president, figured that “the positions of both countries have been very close”.

"We all condemn the coup, but the Honduran political crisis is deeper than the military operation that took place,” stressed Varela, referring to the ouster of [then president] Manuel Zelaya on July 28.

“The November 29 elections have distanced the position of some countries, but we are all seeking reconciliation for the Honduran people and a return to democratic order,” Varela said, adding, “I feel we are all moving toward a point where we will soon accompany the Honduran people through their process of reconciliation”.

According to Varela, the de facto government must make conciliatory steps toward the removal of de facto leader Roberto Micheletti and give way to a transitional government in order to restore national unity and leave the crisis behind.

The message here is that coups must be condemned and that militaries can not interfere in the political affairs of the country”, Varela said. “And also democratically chosen governments must respect the political institutions of the country, because if not they create unnecessary circumstances.”