| (WASHINGTON) - U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented today on the announcement by the State Department of the termination of assistance to the government of Honduras. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:
“I believe this decision will significantly undermine U.S. national security interests and foreign policy priorities in Honduras and the region as a whole.
“The U.S. approach to friends and foes is completely backwards. While appeasing the enemies of freedom worldwide, we punish those in Honduras struggling to preserve the rule of law, fundamental liberties, and democratic values.
“The U.S. continues to push for engagement and dialogue with the Iranian and Syrian regimes, and recently eased sanctions on Syria while moving to restore full diplomatic relations with this pariah state. A few months ago, the U.S. was a lead player in opening the door for the Castro tyranny’s return to the OAS system.
“Yet, today, the Department of State moved to further sever ties to the constitutional democratic institutions in Honduras and with those sectors of Honduran civil society which support the current democratic government.
“U.S. credibility as the vanguard of democracy is in jeopardy.”
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