The United States on Monday urged both sides in the Honduran political crisis to begin implementing an accord to ensure the legitimacy of the upcoming elections.
Under the Tegucigalpa-San Jose Accord reached on Oct. 29, exiled President Manuel Zelaya and interim leader Roberto Micheletti would form a
unity government by Nov. 5 and the parliament would decide to restore Zelaya to the presidency.
Honduras is expected to hold general elections on Nov. 29. The international community calls for the restoration of Zelaya's presidency before the elections.
"We feel that once that (restoration of presidency) is set up and the other elements of the accord are implemented, it will be easier for the
international community to recognize the elections," said U.S. State Department spokesman Ian Kelly.
According to the spokesman, the accord establishes a solid foundation not only for a way forward with the elections on Nov. 29, but also for
reconciliation in Honduras between the two sides.
"We have been very explicit that we recognize Zelaya as the democratically elected leader of Honduras," said Kelly.
Early this month, Zelaya declared the Tegucigalpa-San Jose Accord "dead" after Micheletti unilaterally announced the formation of a unity
government without the participation of Zelaya and his representatives. The Honduran political crisis was ignited by a military-backed coup in June, in which President Zelaya was ousted and exiled to Costa Rica. Congress Speaker Micheletti was sworn in as interim president.