UN cancels election aid to Honduras

NEW YORK - The United Nations has decided to cut off a previously announced aid to Honduras for its upcoming elections, as a new action against the putschists who took over the country in June.

The contribution, which was expected to be channelled through the UN Development Programme (UNDP), was now cancelled and it will be announced Monday, Honduran envoy to the UN Jorge Arturo Reina told Prensa Latina Saturday.

In exclusive remarks to Prensa Latina, the diplomat explained that there is also a document drafted by Latin American countries for the UN to declare that it will not recognise any eventual election that the might be held by the putschists.

The text was proposed by the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and assumed by the rest of governments in Latin America, according to Reina.

The Honduran crisis will be a main focus of attention during the first days of the 64th ordinary session of the UN General Assembly that is scheduled to start Tuesday.

Ousted Honduran President Jose Manuel Zelaya, who has the backing of the UN and the entire international community, is to deliver a speech at the General Assembly session, which will run until Sep 30.

He is expected to thank the UN and the world community for their solidarity, said Reina.

The General Assembly approved in July a resolution condemning the coup in Honduras and the breaking of constitutional and democratic order in the Central American country and demanding the immediate and unconditional return of the Zelaya government.

Honduras plunged into a political crisis June 28 after the armed forces arrested Zelaya June 28 following a Supreme Court ban to hold a national referendum initiated by him. He was sent out of country and Roberto Micheletti was sworn in as new president backed by the army.

–Prensa Latina