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TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Interim Honduran president orders curfew as ousted leader's return sparks demonstrations.Honduras imposes curfew as ousted leader returns
© 2009 The Associated Press
Sept. 21, 2009, 5:02PM
Esteban Felix AP
Honduras' ousted President Manuel Zelaya shakes hands with supporters from inside Brazil's embassy in Tegucigalpa, Monday, Sept. 21, 2009. Zelaya said he returned to Honduras Monday to reclaim his presidency, defying threats of arrest and summoning supporters. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)The government of interim President Roberto Micheletti says the curfew starts at 4 p.m. (2200 GMT) and ends at 7 a.m. (1200 GMT).
It says the curfew is being imposed due to "the events of the last few hours."
Ousted President Manuel Zelaya made a dramatic return to Honduras' capital on Monday, taking shelter from arrest at Brazil's embassy and calling for negotiations with the leaders who forced him from the country at gunpoint in June.
Thousands of Zelaya supporters had gathered at th embassy to celebrate.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — Deposed President Manuel Zelaya made a dramatic return to Honduras' capital on Monday, taking shelter from arrest at Brazil's embassy and calling for negotiations with the leaders who forced him from the country at gunpoint.
Thousands of supporters danced and cheered outside the embassy to celebrate Zelaya's return, which creates a sharp new challenge for the interim government that has threatened repeatedly to throw him in jail if he returns.
Chants of "Yes we could! Yes we could!" bellowed from the crowd.
Zelaya told The Associated Press that he was trying to establish contact with the interim government to start negotiations on a solution to the standoff that started when he soldiers who flew him out of the country on June 28.
"As of now, we are beginning to seek dialogue," he said by telephone, though he gave few details. Talks moderated by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias have been stalled for weeks over the interim government's refusal to accept Zelaya's reinstatement.
He also summoned his countrymen to come to the capital for peaceful protests and urged the army to avoid attacking his supporters.
"It is the moment of reconciliation," he said.
There was no immediate response from interim President Roberto Micheletti, who took power after Zelaya's ouster. Micheletti has promised to step aside following scheduled presidential elections in November.
The interim government was caught off guard by Zelaya's appearance. Only minutes before he appeared publicly at the embassy, officials said reports of his return were a lie.
Zelaya's presence could revive the large demonstrations that disrupted the capital following the coup and threatens to overshadow the presidential election campaign.
The U.S. State Department had already announced on Sept. 4 that it will not recognize results of the presidential vote under current conditions.
OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza called for calm and warned Honduran officials to avoid any violation of the Brazilian diplomatic mission, saying "they should be responsible for the safety of president Zelaya and the Embassy of Brazil."
Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorin said neither his country or the OAS had any role in Zelaya's journey before taking him in.
"We hope this opens a new stage in negotiations," Amorin said. He also warned: "If something happens to Zelaya or our embassy it would be a violation of international law," which bars host countries from arresting people inside diplomatic missions.
In the days following the coup, at least two of the thousands of demonstrators who took to the streets were killed during clashes with security forces. Thousands of other Hondurans demonstrated in favor of the coup.
The country's Congress and courts, alarmed by Zelaya's political shift into a close alliance with leftist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Cuba, backed Zelaya's removal.
He was arrested on orders of the Supreme Court on charges of treason and abuse of power for ignoring court orders against holding a popular referendum on reforming the constitution.
Micheletti said Zelaya sought to remove a ban on re-election — grounds for immediate removal from office under the Honduran constitution. Zelaya denies any such plan.
International leaders were almost unanimously against the armed removal of the president, alarmed that it could return Latin America to a bygone era of coups and instability. The United States, European Union and other agencies have cut aid to Honduras to press for his return.
Zelaya said he had "evaded a thousand obstacles" to return, traveling 15 hours by land in different vehicles. He declined to give specifics on who helped him cross the border, saying that he didn't want to jeopardize their safety.
His staunch supporter, Chavez, described the journey: "President Manuel Zelaya, along with four companions, traveled for two days overland, crossing mountains and rivers, risking their lives. They have made it to Honduras."
If the interim administration attempts to imprison Zelaya, protesters who have demonstrated against his ouster could turn violent, said Vicki Gass at the Washington Office on Latin America.
"There's a saying about Honduras that people can argue in the morning and have dinner in the evening, but I'm not sure this will happen in this case," said Gass. "It's been 86 days since the coup. Something had to break and this might be it."
Ousted leader returns to Honduras, defies arrest
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Deposed President Manuel Zelaya made a dramatic return to Honduras' capital on Monday, taking shelter from arrest at Brazil's embassy and calling for negotiations with the leaders who forced him from the country at gunpoint.Thousands of supporters danced and cheered outside the embassy to celebrate Zelaya's return, which creates a sharp new challenge for the interim government that has threatened repeatedly to throw him in jail if he returns.
Chants of "Yes we could! Yes we could!" bellowed from the crowd.
Zelaya told The Associated Press that he was trying to establish contact with the interim government to start negotiations on a solution to the standoff that started when he soldiers who flew him out of the country on June 28.
"As of now, we are beginning to seek dialogue," he said by telephone, though he gave few details. Talks moderated by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias have been stalled for weeks over the interim government's refusal to accept Zelaya's reinstatement.
He also summoned his countrymen to come to the capital for peaceful protests and urged the army to avoid attacking his supporters.
"It is the moment of reconciliation," he said.
There was no immediate response from interim President Roberto Micheletti, who took power after Zelaya's ouster. Micheletti has promised to step aside following scheduled presidential elections in November.
The interim government was caught off guard by Zelaya's appearance. Only minutes before he appeared publicly at the embassy, officials said reports of his return were a lie.
Zelaya's presence could revive the large demonstrations that disrupted the capital following the coup and threatens to overshadow the presidential election campaign.
The U.S. State Department had already announced on Sept. 4 that it will not recognize results of the presidential vote under current conditions.
OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza called for calm and warned Honduran officials to avoid any violation of the Brazilian diplomatic mission, saying "they should be responsible for the safety of president Zelaya and the Embassy of Brazil."
Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorin said neither his country or the OAS had any role in Zelaya's journey before taking him in.
"We hope this opens a new stage in negotiations," Amorin said. He also warned: "If something happens to Zelaya or our embassy it would be a violation of international law," which bars host countries from arresting people inside diplomatic missions.
In the days following the coup, at least two of the thousands of demonstrators who took to the streets were killed during clashes with security forces. Thousands of other Hondurans demonstrated in favor of the coup.
The country's Congress and courts, alarmed by Zelaya's political shift into a close alliance with leftist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Cuba, backed Zelaya's removal.
He was arrested on orders of the Supreme Court on charges of treason and abuse of power for ignoring court orders against holding a popular referendum on reforming the constitution.
Micheletti said Zelaya sought to remove a ban on re-election — grounds for immediate removal from office under the Honduran constitution. Zelaya denies any such plan.
International leaders were almost unanimously against the armed removal of the president, alarmed that it could return Latin America to a bygone era of coups and instability. The United States, European Union and other agencies have cut aid to Honduras to press for his return.
Zelaya said he had "evaded a thousand obstacles" to return, traveling 15 hours by land in different vehicles. He declined to give specifics on who helped him cross the border, saying that he didn't want to jeopardize their safety.
His staunch supporter, Chavez, described the journey: "President Manuel Zelaya, along with four companions, traveled for two days overland, crossing mountains and rivers, risking their lives. They have made it to Honduras."
If the interim administration attempts to imprison Zelaya, protesters who have demonstrated against his ouster could turn violent, said Vicki Gass at the Washington Office on Latin America.
"There's a saying about Honduras that people can argue in the morning and have dinner in the evening, but I'm not sure this will happen in this case," said Gass. "It's been 86 days since the coup. Something had to break and this might be it."
Associated Press reporters Catherine E. Shoichet, Martha Mendoza and Alexandra Olson in Mexico City and Fabiola Sanchez in Caracas, Venezuela, contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
Zelaya 'will rebuild democracy'
 Mr Zelaya has based himself in the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa |
A: In a peaceful, voluntary manner. I've been supported by various groups but I can't mention them so those people are not hurt. [We travelled] for more than 15 hours... through rivers, mountains, until we reached the capital of Honduras in the early hours of the morning.
We overcame military and police obstacles on the highways, because this country has been kidnapped by the military forces.
Question: What is the international support for your return?
A: I am in the Brazilian Embassy. [Brazilian] President [Luiz Inacio] Lula [da Silva] and Foreign Minister [Celso] Amorim have opened the doors for me. This is useful for us in calling for a dialogue.
I just spoke to Secretary Insulza [Jose Miguel Insulza of the Organization of American States] who will come in the next few hours. The United Nations will also come, in a commission to begin a dialogue to rebuild Honduran democracy.
Question: Which are going to be your next political steps?
A: We are speaking to different sectors of society, with the international community, and we will begin an overture of communication.
Then [we will take] different approaches to solve this problem. Unfortunately, the coup leaders did not previously consider a solution, and I think we should take over the diplomatic side.
Question: Are you planning to meet the de facto leader, Roberto Micheletti face to face?
A: I'm willing to find a solution to this process, and if that solution consists of that, I am willing to do it. There is no impediment from me to searching for an answer to this problem.
Question: Have you established contact with the armed forces of your country?
A: No, not yet, I've only been here for a couple of hours. We haven't had the time to do it.
Question: What would be the conditions for establishing a dialogue with the coup leaders?
A: Well, the main thing is the support of the people, which is essential for starting a dialogue.
Question: Do you think your presence in Tegucigalpa could stoke further demonstrations?
A: Yes, of course, we have started today with more demonstrations. I am a peaceful man, I don't like violence and I call upon the armed forces not to use violence against people. Not against the people.
Question: The Micheletti government has said you would be arrested if you came back?
A: I have no problem with facing any trial or any prosecution they could seek. I will submit myself to any trial because my hands are clean and my chin is up.
Question: Some might say your decision to come back is "irresponsible", because it could trigger violence.
A: I call for peace and non violence. It's the best way to solve problems - problems always have to be solved by calling for democracy and not the weapons.
If there's anything that the international community could do it would be to call for that solution and say 'No' to more violence.
OEA convoca a reunión extraordinaria por regreso de Zelaya a Honduras
El Consejo permanente de la Organización de Estados Americanos (OEA) convocó una reunión extraordinaria para este mismo lunes a las 16H30 locales (20H30 GMT) con la intención de debatir la crisis en Honduras, luego del retorno del presidente legítimo, Manuel Zelaya, a Tegucigalpa.
Luego que su esposa, Xiomara Castro de Zelaya, informara a miles de ciudadanos sobre el regreso del presidente constitucional al país, la embajada brasileña en Honduras confirmó que el mandatario se encuentra en esta sede diplomática.
Más temprano, la corresponsal de teleSUR, Adriana Sívori, pudo constatar la presencia del presidente Zelaya y además informó que, a las afueras de la embajada brasileña, aún siguen llegando personas con gran júbilo por la presencia del mandatario.
Xiomara Castro de Zelaya expresó que el primer mandatario hondureño se encuentra en buen estado de salud y está dispuesto a emprender el díalogo para resolver la crisis política causada por su derrocamiento el pasado 28 de junio.
Manuel Zelaya ha agradecido al presidente de Brasil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva por haberle permitido el ingreso y permanencia en la embajada de este país.
En contacto telefónico con teleSUR, la canciller de Honduras, Patricia Rodas, afirmó que el presidente legítimo de esa nación "ha retornado por la dignidad a recuperar, a rescatar, a proteger la dignidad y la libertad de todos los hondureños, a cumplir con el mandato de su pueblo de dirigirlo, de conducirlo, de liderarlo para mayores transformaciones".
La canciller legítima de Honduras, afirmó que las transformaciones que se harán en Honduras son por la justicia y por la libertad y se realizarán "a través de un diálogo para lograr la unidad de toda la comunidad hondureña".
Rodas informó que el presidente Zelaya ingresó de nuevo a la nación centroamericana a través de las montañas "ha ingresado abrazado de los pinos de nuestras montañas que lo protegieron bajo sus sombras en todo momento y ha entrado de manera heroica de la mano de todo su pueblo del pueblo hondureño".
En tanto, el presidente venezolano, Hugo Chávez, también confirmó este lunes la llegada de su homólogo a Tegucigalpa y lo felicitó por su "acto heroico" en un llamada telefónica entre ambos.
Chávez expresó su sorpresa por la llegada de Zelaya a tierras hondureñas e informó que luego de dos días de viajes por tierra, en compañía de cuatro personas no identificadas, llegaron a Tegucigalpa.
En comunicación exclusiva con teleSUR, Manuel Zelaya, afirmó que está cumpliendo con la voluntad de su pueblo con su regreso a Honduras en la mañana de este lunes luego de 86 días del golpe de Estado que recibió en junio.
El mandatario dijo que "evadió mil obstáculos" durante cuatro días y logró llegar a la capital. "Con una estrategia pacífica para no provocar violencia, logramos llegar".
Manuel Zelaya ha anunciado que el secretario general de la OEA, José Miguel Insulza, arribará este martes a Tegucigalpa para apoyarlo en su regreso al poder y llamó al pueblo hondureño a acercarse para acompañarlo a recuperar el hilo constitucional en la nación.
Por su parte, el secretario general de la Organización de Estados Americanos (OEA), José Miguel Insulza, ha pedido al gobierno de facto hondureño que garantice la seguridad de Manuel Zelaya y de la embajada de Brasil, donde se encuentra refugiado el depuesto presidente.
Entretanto, Romeo Vásquez Velásquez, jefe de las Fuerzas Armadas de Honduras, ratificó este lunes su apoyo al gobierno de facto de Roberto Micheletti
Zelaya anuncia que Comunidad internacional participará en restitución democrática en Honduras
Desde Embajada de Brasil en Tegucigalpa:Septiembre 21, 2009 - 15:40 (orodriguez)
El presidente Constitucional de Honduras convocó hoy al diálogo nacional para resolver la crisis en su país tras el golpe de Estado y llamó a las fuerzas armadas a abstenerse de reprimir al pueblo / Zelaya informó que este martes llegará al país el secretario general de la OEA, José Miguel Insulza.
Tegucigalpa / El presidente de Honduras, Manuel Zelaya, llamó desde la capital de su país a las fuerzas armadas a mantener la cordura y no reprimir a la población, que se encuentra desarmada festejando su regreso al país.
Con sus primeras declaraciones a medios de prensa hondureños, quedaron desmentidas las declaraciones de Micheletti, quien había afirmado que la noticia sobre la presencia de Zelaya en Tegucigalpa era una estrategia mediática, que calificó como "terrorismo".
El presidente Constitucional afirmó en la rueda de prensa, que retornó a la nación para iniciar un proceso de diálogo para resolver pacíficamente la crisis desatada por el golpe militar del pasado 28 de junio.
"Estoy aquí para buscar un arreglo a la crisis. He venido desarmado", dijo Zelaya, quien llamó al ejército a no apuntar los fusiles contra el pueblo.
"Las fuerzas armadas deben apuntar sus rifles a los enemigos del pueblo y no contra el pueblo", afirmó el presidente constitucional.
Zelaya exhortó también a la población a concentrarse en la capital para organizar el proceso de restitución del estado de derecho, en declaraciones hechas en la embajada de Brasil en esta capital.
Comunidad Internacional participará en la restitución democrática:
"Yo vengo aquí con el corazón abierto para buscar un arreglo", dijo Zelaya su retorno al país, casi tres meses después de la asonada.
Zelaya, quien se encuentra en la embajada de Brasil en Tegucigalpa, anunció el inicio de una mesa de diálogo con el apoyo de la comunidad internacional, donde participarán representantes de los distintos sectores políticos, sociales y religiosos.
En las próximas horas se reunirá con integrantes del Frente Nacional contra el Golpe de Estado y con miembros de su gabinete, quienes han sido perseguidos y enfrentan órdenes de captura.
Zelaya anunció que mañana (martes) llegará al país el secretario general de la OEA, José Miguel Insulza, para propiciar un diálogo que permita superar la crisis.
La Presidencia del Consejo Permanente de la Organización de Estados Americanos convocó para este lunes a una sesión extraordinaria para analizar la situación en Honduras.
Zelaya agradeció a "la Embajada de Brasil, que me ha dado el apoyo de una manera tan honesta, tan sincera", así como al presidente de ese país, Luis Inácio Lula da Silva, y al canciller brasileño, Celso Amorim.
"Soy un hombre pacífico, dialogo, practico la no violencia", proclamó, y añadió: "he venido a dialogar de frente".
"Pacíficamente vamos a buscar un diálogo" con todos los sectores, "ese es mi plan, iniciar internamente el diálogo", que le permita retomar el poder del país, dijo Zelaya.
Pidió a sus simpatizantes "que se vengan aquí a los alrededores" de la embajada brasileña para organizarse, "protegernos, cubrirnos, para evitar cualquier malentendido", y también porque "reconstruiremos la democracia".
"El poder del pueblo sirve para hacer las grandes transformaciones", enfatizó el depuesto mandatario hondureño, quien al comentar sobre cómo regresó a Honduras, se limitó a asegurrar que hizo "mil proezas" y un periplo de unas quince horas.
Mientras tanto, miles de personas continúan llegando a las inmediaciones de la embajada brasileña en Tegucigalpa para dar la bienvenida a su presidente legítimo.
Canales de televisión hondureños informaron que agentes de seguridad del gobierno de facto de Micheletti sobrevolaron en un helicóptero la zona donde se encuentra Zelaya.
(PL/Agencias/VTV)
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