Honduran chief says Zelaya can’t be restored

August 01, 2009|Associated Press

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras - Honduras’s coup-installed leader has dampened hopes for a negotiated solution to the country’s crisis, capping days of mixed signals by saying firmly that there’s no way the ousted president can return to power.

Also marking a tougher stance, riot police fired tear gas and arrested supporters of ousted President Manuel Zelaya who blocked a main artery leading into the Honduran capital yesterday. Interim President Roberto Micheletti said his government would no longer tolerate street blockades that regularly snarl traffic in Tegucigalpa and other cities.

Meanwhile, Micheletti’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement it “reserves the right’’ to cancel visas for US diplomatic personnel in Honduras, in retaliation for Washington’s decision this week to revoke the diplomatic visas of four Honduran officials. Honduras did not take any immediate steps.

Zelaya’s return has been a key demand of crisis mediator and President Oscar Arias of Costa Rica, who also proposed amnesty for the coup plotters and other measures as part of a compromise.

But yesterday, a judge in Honduras issued yet another set of arrest warrants against Zelaya and three other former officials for alleged falsification of public records, fraud, and abuse of authority. The charges are related to the alleged misappropriation of $2 million in government funds to pay for ads by Zelaya’s administration in January.

Zelaya can return to Honduras only to face trial, Micheletti said. “Under no circumstances will we let him take possession of the government.’’