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| Caribbean-Latin America | ||
| Zelaya prepares risky return | ||
| 2009-07-24 | ||
| MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) - Honduras' deposed president headed toward his nation's border Thursday to prepare a risky return home to reverse an ouster that is testing the vitality of democracy in Latin America. The interim government that sent Manuel Zelaya into exile vows to arrest the president if he sets foot in Honduras. Zelaya said he would make a second attempt to return home Saturday, saying U.S.-backed attempts at mediation had broken down. Accompanied by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro, Zelaya drove a white jeep out of the Honduran Embassy in Nicaragua, heading toward the northern town of Isteli, where he said he would spend Friday preparing for his return. Honduran Embassy officials broke into applause and chants of "Long live Mel!" using his nickname. Zelaya said he hoped soldiers at the border would stand down when they see him. He called on supporters to meet him at the border, although he has not yet said exactly where he plan to cross into Honduras. "I think the guns will be lowered when they see their people and their president," Zelaya said at a news conference shortly before leaving. Latin America expert Vicki Gass said that if Zelaya's opponents succeed in driving him from power, it could have a ripple effect in a region where left-leaning elected governments are challenging small classes of elites that have ruled many countries for decades.
But Jose Miguel Insulza, secretary-general of the Organization of American States, held out hope that the two sides might still reach a settlement—and called Zelaya's attempt to return without an agreement "hasty." "He has always wanted to return to his country, but it's important to make an effort to avoid a likely confrontation," Insulza said. He said that neither delegation had officially responded to Arias proposal, which calls for Zelaya's reinstatement, amnesty for the coup leaders and early elections. The United States warned of tough sanctions against Honduras if Zelaya is not reinstated, but also said Thursday it does not support Zelaya's plan to return on his own. "Any step that would add to the risk of violence in Honduras or in the area, we think would be unwise," State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said in Washington. Zelaya dismissed the concerns of Insulza and the U.S., saying "defending our rights is not an act of violence ... we are going to seek dialogue." It was unclear exactly when or how Zelaya planned to enter the country. Zelaya has set and let pass a series of deadlines for his return, and spokesman Allan Fajardo said Thursday that Zelaya could travel by air, sea, or land from any of Honduras' three neighboring countries. Fajardo told The Associated Press that Zelaya would set up base Thursday in the Nicaraguan city of Esteli, near the Honduran border, and then figure out his next move. He said Zelaya would be accompanied by family, supporters and journalists. Lorena Calix, a spokeswoman for Honduras' national police, said Thursday that officers were ready to detain Zelaya if he makes another attempt to come home. "When he comes to Honduras, we have to execute the arrest warrant," she said. Honduras' Supreme Court ordered Zelaya's arrest before the June 28 coup, ruling his effort to hold a referendum on whether to form a constitutional assembly was illegal. The military decided to send Zelaya into exile instead—a move that military lawyers themselves have called illegal but necessary. Zelaya's opponents, who objected to his populist and socialist policies, have argued the president was trying to change the constitution to extend his term. Zelaya denies that. If he is arrested, Zelaya faces four charges of violating governmental order, treason and abusing and usurping power that could bring 43 years behind bars. Prosecutors say they are investigating a raft of other allegations ranging from misappropriation of public funds to drug smuggling—accusations Zelaya says are purely political. | ||
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #2 he took a couple steps into Honduran territory, surrounded by his |
| Posted by: Frank G 2009-07-24 19:30 |
| #1 Risky = Desperate |
| Posted by: Iblis 2009-07-24 17:36 |