国际英语新闻：Honduran new president signs amnesty decree

TEGUCIGALPA, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Newly-inaugurated Honduran President Porfirio Lobo Sosa signed on Wednesday an amnesty decree to pardon those involved in a coup on June 28, 2009 against then president Manuel Zelaya.

"The National Congress approved the amnesty for political crimes, (and) that is the beginning of reconciliation, the forgiveness of the State," Lobo said during his inauguration ceremony.

While signing the amnesty decree, Lobo said, "Today we want to cure the wounds of the past, today we want to become a nation taking the best experiences and to join them with new and fresh ideas."

Honduran President Porfirio Lobo (1st L) signs an amnesty decree during his inauguration ceremony in the Tiburcio Carnas Andino National Stadium in Tegucigalpa Jan. 27, 2010. Lobo signed on Wednesday an amnesty decree to pardon those involved in a coup on June 28, 2009 against then president Manuel Zelaya

"All those actions related to crimes or corruption acts like embezzlement, illegal wealth, bribes and other kinds of penal crimes are not part of the amnesty, as well as crimes against humanity or violation of human rights," Lobo added.

Honduran President-elect Porfirio Lobo (L Front) smiles during his inauguration ceremony in the Tiburcio Carnas Andino National Stadium in Tegucigalpa Jan. 27, 2010

The amnesty was approved on Tuesday night by the National Congress. Though it was not part of the Tegucigalpa-San Jose Agreement, most of the international community demanded it, as a way to solve part of the political crisis in the country.

The amnesty will be enforced 20 days after being published at the official daily La Gaceta.

According to Lobo, Honduras has just left behind one of the worst political crises in its history. "We are able to avoid all the dangers faced by our nation," he said.

Honduras has embarked on the road of reconciliation and will try to achieve national unity, Lobo added.

"We have overcome disagreements, we have left them behind and we are walking forward, to a brilliant and promising future," Lobo said.

Lobo also signed the Paris Plan, a government program for the next 38 years.

Lobo won the Nov. 29 presidential election amid controversies. Most of the international community has refused to recognize him as the leader of Honduras, and instead demanded a reinstatement of Zelaya who had been ousted in the June coup.