WASHINGTON — US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Friday that Honduran President Manuel Zelaya was "reckless" to try to return home to his country a month after being ousted.
"President Zelaya's effort to reach the border is reckless," Clinton said during a press conference with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.
"It does not contribute to the broader effort to restore democracy and constitutional order in the Honduras crisis."
Zelaya briefly stepped across the border from Nicaragua to Honduras on Friday, in a symbolic move almost a month after soldiers sent him into exile.
Washington supports "a negotiated peaceful solution to the Honduran crisis," Clinton said.
"We have consistently urged all parties to avoid any provocative action that could lead to violence."
The US diplomatic chief said that Washington urges Zelaya "and all other parties to reaffirm their commitment to a negotiated peaceful solution, to the integrity of Honduran democracy and the safety and well-being of the Honduran people."
The United States does not recognize the government of interim Honduran leader Roberto Micheletti, who took power in the wake of the June 28 military-backed coup.
"We urge both parties to accept the proposal put forth by (Costa Rican) President (Oscar) Arias. It is the basis for a peaceful solution. And that is what the United States supports," Clinton said.
In mediation talks in San Jose, Arias proposed that Zelaya return to office at the head of a government of national unity, and bring forward by one month elections scheduled for November 29. The negotiations collapsed this week.
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