29 November 2009

HONDURAS: Election Underway While Troops Observe.

NYTIMES/
Polls in Honduras show Porfirio Lobo, a National Party leader who lost to Zelaya in 2005, favored over the Liberal Party’s Elvin Santos, Zelaya’s former vice president. The election may help Honduras move past the political crisis and regain legitimacy and access to much-needed aid, said James Creagan, former U.S. Ambassador to Honduras. “It’s so essential for Honduras to move forward now,” said Creagan, who will observe the elections. “Honduras has lost a year or more of development because of this crisis.”
Brasil, Argentina, Venezuela and other nations say they won’t recognize the results because former President Zelaya hasn’t been restored to power. Zelaya says the vote is illegitimate and urged Hondurans to stay home. In September, he had said that the vote should take place.