Clinton: Restore democracy in Honduras

WASHINGTON, July 7 (UPI) -- The United States supports restoring democracy in Honduras, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday after meeting the ousted president.

Clinton told reporters she hopes mediation with Costa Rican President Oscar Arias can begin as soon as possible. She called her discussions with ousted President Manuel Zelaya of Honduras "productive."

" We discussed the events of the past nine days and the road ahead," Clinton said. "I reiterated to him that the United States supports the restoration of the democratic constitutional order in Honduras. We continue to support regional efforts through the (Organization of American States) to bring about a peaceful resolution that is consistent with the terms of the Inter-American Democratic Charter."

Clinton said she had been notified by the Costa Rican government that Roberto Micheletti, the caretaker president of Honduras, had also agreed to participate in the mediation.

The secretary said she promised Zelaya the United States would do whatever it can to prevent more violence in Honduras. Two of Zelaya's supporters were killed Sunday when his plane was denied permission to land in Tegucigalpa.

The military ousted Zelaya after he ignored Supreme Court orders and promoted a non-binding referendum many said they thought could lead to a constitutional change ending the one-term limit for presidents.