WRAPUP 6-Honduras rulers reject world pressure to reverse coup

Wed Jul 1, 2009 8:59pm EDT
 
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(For a TAKE A LOOK on Honduras, click on [nN28343997])

* Honduras interim govt defies OAS, rejects Zelaya return

* OAS delivers 72-hour ultimatum

* U.S. backs off to allow OAS diplomacy

* Honduran Congress tightens curfew (Adds curfew tightened, U.S. quotes)

By Patrick Markey

TEGUCIGALPA, July 1 (Reuters) - The Honduran interim government defied international pressure on Wednesday and vowed there was "no chance at all" of ousted President Manuel Zelaya returning to office.

World leaders from U.S. President Barack Obama to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez have told the new rulers of the Central American country to restore Zelaya, a leftist who was toppled by the army on Sunday and sent into exile after a dispute over presidential term limits.

The Organization of American States gave Honduras an ultimatum early on Wednesday to allow Zelaya back into office by this weekend or face suspension.

But the interim government's response indicated there was little immediate hope of a negotiated solution to the crisis in Honduras, an impoverished coffee and textile producer.

Enrique Ortez, interim foreign minister, said Zelaya would be arrested if he came home and that the interim authorities were sure Zelaya had been removed in a legal process.

"We are not negotiating national sovereignty or the presidency," he told Reuters in an interview. "There is no chance at all" of Zelaya coming back to power. [nN01401959]

The crisis in Honduras has spiraled into the worst political turmoil in Central America since the U.S. invasion of Panama in 1989, posing a test both for regional diplomacy and for Obama's ability to improve the United States' battered standing in Latin America.

The Honduran Congress has voted in a new government more favorable to the traditional business and ranching elite to replace Zelaya, who was toppled for trying to extend presidential term limits in power.

The president also upset the army, judiciary and members of his own Liberal Party for taking Honduras to the left.

In further signs of isolation of Honduras, the Inter-American Development Bank said it was pausing all new loans to the country until democracy is restored, while Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said Europe will not talk to the new rulers if they attempt to get in touch.  Continued...

 

More News

Honduras says OAS visit on again
Sunday, 9 Aug 2009 10:58pm EDT 
Honduras snubs OAS leader, cancels visit
Sunday, 9 Aug 2009 03:43pm EDT 
U.S. puts off decision on cutting aid to Honduras
Wednesday, 1 Jul 2009 06:54pm EDT 
Honduras rulers defy world pressure to restore Zelaya
Wednesday, 1 Jul 2009 05:29pm EDT 

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