BRITISH PRIME MINISTER RE-AFFIRMS THAT THERE WILL BE NO POLITICAL CONTACT WITH HONDURAN COUP REGIME

The British government has made it clear that it “remains our policy to refrain from political contacts with the de facto government” in Honduras. The remarks were made by Douglas Alexander, the Minister for International Development about the coup regime that seized power in Honduras on June 28.

Separately Gordon Brown, the British Prime Minister, has added that “the UK will ensure that the EU continues to apply diplomatic measures, including restrictions on political contacts with members of the de facto government”


The strong statements were made in correspondence dated 7 and 8 October to Colin Burgon MP (Labour, Elmet). This followed claims in Honduran newspapers by Gabriela Nunez, Finance Minister of the Honduran coup regime that she was in the UK at a G20 meeting over the summer by invite of the UK government.

In response to this specific claim the Prime Minister stated clearly that “reports that I invited Gabriela Nunez to a meeting of the G20 in London on 17 August are not true”.

Addressing the coup more widely, in his letter the Prime Minister added that “The UK Government has repeatedly condemned in the strongest terms the expulsion of President Manuel Zelaya”

Expressing his worries about the increase in human rights abuses the Prime Minister stated “I am also concerned about reports of growing human rights violations in the country including increasing government control of the media and repression of peaceful protesters.”

The Prime Minster added that “we are looking into possible further measures” to ensure the restoration of democracy in Honduras.

Welcoming the rejection of claims by the Honduran coup representatives that they were endorsed by the British government, Colin Burgon MP stated:

“The Honduran coup regime should be totally clear following these remarks that it has no support whatsoever from the British government. President Zelaya is the legitimate and recognised President of Honduras. He should be immediately restored and an immediate end brought to the repression that has left at least 10 dead, hundreds arrested and the closure of independent media”.