GRENADA CONDEMNS HONDURAN COUP
Michael Bascombe

St. George's, June 28, 2009 -- The Grenada Government has joined with the rest of the international community in condemning the forceful removal of the democratically elected President of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the government said it is deeply concerned about the situation in this South American nation, a member of the Organisation of American States (OAS).

"We also call on the Military to exercise restraint and allow the people of Honduras to freely express their sentiments," the statement said. It urges other nations, especially within the hemispheric body to denounce the coup.

The full text of the statement follows:


The Government of Grenada is deeply concerned with the situation that is currently unfolding in Honduras, a sister country within the Organisation of American States. The Government of Grenada condemns the military coup d’etat that has taken place in Honduras and calls on the military to immediately return the legitimately elected President Manuel Zelaya to office. The will of the Honduran people must be respected.

The Government of Grenada also condemns the kidnapping of President Manuel Zelaya and his removal from Honduras to Costa Rica. Reports are that President Zelaya was removed from his home early Sunday morning against his will without even the opportunity to change his clothes.  

We also call on the Military to exercise restraint and allow the people of Honduras to freely express their sentiments. We hope that there will be no force exercised in the response to the people’s expression of support on the streets of the Honduran capital Tegucigalpa for President Zelaya.

Grenada calls on all countries, particularly those in this hemisphere, to condemn this action on the part of the Honduran Military and to demand the immediate return of President Zelaya to office.

The OAS Permanent Council met today in Special Session to address the current political situation in the member state of Honduras.

Here is a statement by the OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin on the current position of the OAS.  Click here to listen.