Exiled Honduran President Plots Return
By VOA News
24 July 2009
Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya is in a Nicaraguan town near his country's border, preparing for an imminent return home.
Mr. Zelaya drove to Esteli Thursday followed by a convoy of supporters and journalists. His attempt to enter Honduras could come as early as Saturday.
The Honduran army has blocked traffic to prevent Zelaya supporters from crowding near the border to meet him. The military also is monitoring the border.
The deposed leader says he hopes the soldiers will stand down when they see their elected leader. He says he has a right to return to Honduras, but the interim government of President Roberto Micheletti has threatened to arrest him if he does.
Many are concerned that the homecoming could spark violence.
Overnight, the interim government imposed a curfew along the border areas.
A spokesman for the U.S. State Department said Thursday that the United States deems "unwise" any step that would add to the risk of violence in Honduras or surrounding areas.
Mr. Zelaya was ousted and forced into exile June 28. He attempted to fly into the capital, Tegucigalpa, one week later but was not allowed to land.
Costa Rican President Oscar Arias has led negotiations involving the ousted and interim Honduran governments. The caretaker government's foreign minister, Carlos Lopez, Wednesday rejected new proposals to allow Mr. Zelaya to return and reclaim his office.
The interim government says Mr. Zelaya was ousted because he was illegally trying to change the constitution to extend his term in office. The political deadlock in Honduras has sparked demonstrations on both sides of the divide. At least one person was killed during the protests.
No country has formally recognized the caretaker government, and many nations have been demanding Mr. Zelaya's reinstatement.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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