US Laments Honduran Independence Day Tensions
Filed at 9:41 p.m. ET
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) -- Even Independence Day could not bring together bitterly divided Hondurans at odds over a June coup.
Supporters and foes of deposed President Manuel Zelaya held separate commemorations on Tuesday, the anniversary of Central America's 1821 independence from Spain.
Thousands of protesters marched through Tegucigalpa to demand Zelaya's return, while at a military and police parade, the interim president vowed only an armed invasion of Honduras could bring the ousted leader back.
In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton lamented that Honduras had to celebrate 188 years of independence divided over the coup, while the European Union threatened more sanctions against the Central American country unless the ousted president is restored to power.
''The turmoil and political differences that have ... divided Honduras are a source of worry and sadness,'' Clinton said a statement sent to the media. ''I remain hopeful that the spirit of Francisco Morazan, a founder and visionary leader of Honduras, will help return your nation to a democratic path that will unite and inspire, rather than divide and discourage.''
EU foreign ministers warned they ''stand ready to take further restrictive measures'' against Honduras unless the interim government agrees to reinstate Zelaya before presidential elections scheduled for Nov. 29.
The U.N. Human Rights Council, meanwhile, barred Honduran Ambassador Delmer Urbizo from participating in its meeting in Geneva because he represents the interim government.
Soldiers flew the leftist Zelaya into exile at gunpoint on June 28 in a dispute over his attempts to change Honduras' constitution. No amount of international pressure has persuaded interim leaders to restore Zelaya to power, including the suspension of U.S. military and development assistance. The EU is withholding euro65 million in aid.
Interim President Roberto Micheletti remained defiant at the parade, vowing that Zelaya will only return ''if someone comes here and invades us.'' He shrugged off the absence of foreign ambassadors at the celebration, saying the envoys ''are only obeying orders from a sector of the world that is mistaken.''
Micheletti also reiterated his hope that the November elections would show the world that democracy thrives in Honduras, even though the United States and other countries have warned the outcome of the vote would not be recognized unless Zelaya is restored beforehand.
''We are firm in our position, and we have faith that this will all be over after the Nov. 29 elections,'' Micheletti said.
From exile in Nicaragua, Zelaya urged Honduras to boycott the elections.
''We can't talk about elections when equal opportunity is not guaranteed, when there is no guarantee that the will of the people will be respected,'' Zelaya said. ''Otherwise, any organized group can stage a military coup in any country and later call elections.''
Thousands of his supporters marched through the main park in the Honduran capital, lead by Zelaya's wife.
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