Former Defense Minister Sees Zelaya Return as Key to Rebuilding the Liberal Party

Following a meeting in Tegucigalpa on Wednesday with US Ambassador Hugo Llorens and leaders of Honduras' Liberal Party, former Minister of Defense in the Zelaya administration Edmundo Orellana said in an interview with HRN Radio that the absence of Manuel Zelaya hurts Liberals to the degree that "his presence [in Honduras] is absolutely necessary". Mr. Orellana noted that Mr. Zelaya continues to lead a significant faction within the Liberal Party, and thus if the party ever hopes to fully rebuild itself Mr. Zelaya must return and play an active role in the process as soon as possible. The political crisis fueled by the forced removal of President Zelaya from office last year created sharp divisions within the Liberal Party, with many party members strongly supporting Mr. Zelaya's ousting and others opposing it. These divisions led to the overwhelming win by Nationalist Party candidate Porfirio Lobo in the November 29 presidential election. There is concern within the Liberal Party that if it does not soon reconcile its members, the party will remain so weak that it may be a long time before it can successfully compete in national elections. (3/5/10) (photo of Edmundo Orellana courtesy Internet)