While President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton have condemned the coup and called for the restoration of constitutional order, there is more that the U.S. can do to support international efforts to restore President Zelaya. Prominent Republicans, however, are pressuring the Administration not to fully support these efforts. [1]
Could you call the State Department and urge Secretary of State Clinton to fully support international efforts for the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of President Zelaya? The main switchboard for the State Department is 202-647-4000.
Making a call to the State Department is easy. When your call is answered at the main switchboard, tell the operator that you want to leave a message for Secretary of State Clinton. When leaving your message, you may use the following talking points:
1 ) Urge Hillary to publicly and repeatedly call for President Zelaya's immediate and unconditional restoration;When you have completed your call, please reply to this email and let us know how it went.
2) Urge Hillary to use all the tools at her disposal, including the suspension of U.S. aid to Honduras, as required under the Foreign Assistance Act.
There is a broad international consensus against the coup and in support of President Zelaya's immediate and unconditional return as president. The United Nations General Assembly passed unanimously a resolution co-sponsored by the United States and Venezuela which condemned the coup and demanded President Zelaya's "immediate and unconditional restoration" as president. [2]
The United States has the ability to put significant pressure on the military coup government in Honduras. Under the Foreign Assistance Act, U.S. aid must be suspended to "any country whose duly elected head of government is deposed by decree or military coup" until "the President determines … a democratically elected government has taken office." So far, the Obama Administration has not suspended U.S. aid.
Please join us in urging Secretary of State Clinton to use all the leverage at her disposal to ensure the immediate and unconditional return of President Zelaya to office by calling the State Department at 202-647-4000.
