Honduran president can't return, coup-installed leader says

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Honduras' 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 Friday. Interim President Roberto Micheletti said his government would no longer tolerate street blockades that regularly snarl traffic in Tegucigalpa and other cities.

Micheletti's Foreign Ministry said in a statement it "reserves the right" to cancel visas for U.S. diplomatic personnel in Honduras, in retaliation for Washington's decision this week to revoke the diplomatic visas of four Honduran officials. However the government did not take any immediate steps against U.S. diplomats.

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

But on Friday, 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.

The interim government previously announced Zelaya faces charges of treason, usurping the powers of other branches of government, abuse of authority and trying to undermine Honduras' system of government.

Zelaya told a television station in Managua, Nicaragua on Friday that "either they reverse the coup, or there will be generalized violence," although he later told Mexico's Radio Formula that he wanted to avoid any bloodshed.

Zelaya also announced plans to travel next week to Mexico, where the government confirmed he will meet with President Felipe Calderon on Tuesday.

Micheletti, installed by Congress after Zelaya was forcibly flown out of the country on June 28, has sent mixed signals throughout the week on whether he might permit Zelaya's return as part of a deal. On Thursday, a former government official who has been in close contact with Micheletti told The Associated Press that the leader was open to compromising on the issue.

But later the same day, Micheletti denied telling Arias he would soften his stance, saying he was "a man of character who maintains his positions."