Honduras rejects OAS appeal to restore president
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Honduras rebuffed a personal appeal from the Americas' top international diplomat Friday, refusing to restore President Manuel Zelaya and setting the stage for a dramatic showdown when the ousted leader returns to reclaim power this weekend.
Jose Miguel Insulza, who heads the Organization of American States, said after meeting with Honduras' Supreme Court, Attorney General and other political figures that he had found no willingness to return Zelaya to office ahead of a Saturday morning deadline. Zelaya was toppled in a military-backed coup on Sunday and flown out of the country.
"We wanted to ask that this situation be reversed," Insulza told a news conference in the Honduran capital, where he had arrived Friday on a personal mission to demand Zelaya's reinstatment. "Unfortunately, one must say that there appears to be no willingness to do this."
The OAS will meet on Saturday to decide whether to expel Honduras from the regional organization, he said, a move that could lead to further sanctions against one of the Americas' poorest countries. Suspension by the OAS could also encourage other organizations and countries to suspend aid and loans to Honduras.
Hours earlier, Honduras' Supreme Court, which had authorized Sunday's coup, said it wouldn't agree to reinstate the toppled leftist leader.
"Insulza asked Honduras to reinstate Zelaya, but the president of the court categorically answered that there is an arrest warrant for him," said court spokesman Danilo Izaguirre, referring to Supreme Court President Jorge Rivera. "Now the OAS has to decide what it will do."
Insulza said late Friday that Honduran officials had given him documents showing that charges are pending or have been brought against Zelaya, charges that purportedly justify the coup.
Insulza had conceded before traveling to Honduras that his mission was unlikely to succeed, saying: "It will be very hard to turn things around in a couple of days."
During the trip, the diplomat also met with the two main candidates in Honduras' Nov. 29 elections, as well with the leftist Popular Block, an umbrella group of farm, labor and student groups that largely supports Zelaya.
But he said he would not see Roberto Micheletti, whom Congress named president after Zelaya's ouster, in order to avoid legitimizing the government.
Micheletti's foreign minister, Enrique Ortez, said that Insulza "can negotiate all he wants, except for Zelaya's situation."
"That is not negotiable because he cannot return to Honduras, and if he does he will be arrested and tried," Ortez said.
Recent comments
When the OAS tried to intervene in Venezuela's internal affairs,...
OAS is chicken | July 4, 2009 at 2:54 p.m.
I do not understand the position the US administration (Obama) are...
US Position | July 4, 2009 at 12:20 p.m.
Respect Honduras' sovereingty if they want to get rid of their...
Provo Joe | July 4, 2009 at 9:15 a.m.
- Boy shoots mom with arrow 3:48 p.m.
- Haiti bans party from election 3:21 p.m.
- Marines see end of deployment 2:59 p.m.
- Colo. gov's lawn draped in toilet paper 2:42 p.m.
- Packers beat Lions 34-12 2:12 p.m.
- Dad locked kids in trunk 1:46 p.m.
- Korver's return hits snag 12:59 p.m.
- Salt Lake City woman shot 12:53 p.m.
- Woman suffers critical injury 12:50 p.m.
- China vows to slow emissions 12:18 p.m.
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
- Cave rescuers committed to free man
- Rivalry has had some 'turkeys'
- Holiday television program listings
- Highland players make special friend
- Temple Square to use LEDs
- Missions teach players perseverance
- Syracuse woman gets 1 year in jail
- Matt Reynolds vs. Koa Misi
- Scout answer to church's prayers
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
261 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
228 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
210 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
202 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
139 - BYU records with win
133 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
131 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
129 - Boys basketball rankings
116 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
112
school the tribe!
Sorry to read about the death of John Jones and condolences to his family and...
Thank you for this fantastic article. Way to go to the Highland Football...
sign him up Jazz,he won`t be there long,I bet someone signs him within a...
My sons have no problem talking to me about sex. I remember when my stepson...
I think the change we need is moving Williams to the 2 spot and find a pass...
Healthcare Change values Families Outrageous Healthcare bills are the #1...
Just remember where your little buddy is, who is sitting in JAIL, ask him how...
Great man, great honor. BYU and Utah both have great coahces now...makes up...
Rich won't be playing for a state title! They were picked to be in there...


