Washington, DC — A statement by Ian Kelly, Department Spokesman,  Office of the Spokesman, Bureau of Public Affairs, Washington, DC, June 17, 2009:

The United States regrets the suspension of the African Union- and United Nations-led mediation process in Madagascar. We applaud the tireless efforts of the mediation team to move this process forward, and continue to urge all parties to rapidly return to the negotiating table and come to agreement on the elements of a consensual transition government.

We continue to believe that the only way to resolve this crisis is through a consensual political process leading to elections at the earliest possible date. We condemn the unconstitutional actions that led to the current situation, and categorically reject the use of force as a means to resolve this crisis. We remain impartial and will not support unilateral solutions by particular political factions, as such moves would not produce a lasting solution based on credible, unbiased elections.