UN welcomes reinstatement of Honduras into OAS

[News_Editor]

UN welcomes reinstatement of Honduras into OAS

2011-06-03 04:06:43 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday welcomed the decision to reinstate Honduras into the Organization of American States (OAS) after a two-year suspension.

The Central American nation was expelled from OAS after a military coup that ousted then-President Manuel Zelaya. The decision was made days after the former leader returned to Honduras after living in exile.

"I hope that the decision by the OAS and the upcoming report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission will contribute to healing the wounds of the recent past and to bringing the people of Honduras together once again," said Martin Nesirky, spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

On Wednesday, the OAS General Assembly lifted the suspension of the right of participation of Honduras during its 41st Special Session. The resolution was approved by 32 votes in favor and one against.

"All of this has been possible thanks to the unity and perseverance all countries have shown through these 23 months in which very important principles were at risk and those principles are the ones that have directed our activity," said Assembly Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza.

Ecuador was the only nation that opposed the Central American country’s reentry as it considered that the right and sufficient conditions are not present yet in Honduras to be reinstated into OAS.

"The moment for the healing of wounds has arrived. As people and as a nation the difficulties have not discouraged us, and little by little we have overcome the setbacks," said Honduran Vice President Maria Antonieta Guillen. "Our commitment and firm determination to move forward has been greater than any adversity."

In June 2009, a coup d'état overthrew Zelaya seven months before the end of his term. The move was condemned by the international community and the UN. Honduran President Porfirio Lobo set up the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to probe the events in November 2009.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-06-03