Honduras Coup Leaders Headed for Faceoff

U.N., Organization Of American States Condemn Coup; President To Return Under Threat Of Arrest

(CBS/AP)  The Organization of American States said early Wednesday that Honduran coup leaders have three days to restore deposed President Manuel Zelaya to power.

OAS Secretary-General Jose Miguel Insulza said Honduras "risks being suspended" from the group if the leaders of the military coup do not comply.

Insulza delivered what he called "an ultimatum" as OAS talks regarding the crisis wound past the eight-hour mark.

The 72-hour period appears designed to cover plans for Zelaya, who was ousted in a coup Sunday, to go home, accompanied by the presidents of Argentina and Ecuador, and seek restoration of his authority.

Honduras' ousted president won overwhelming international support Tuesday at the United Nations as he planned the high-profile return to his chaotic country.

The politicians who sent soldiers to fly Zelaya into exile in his pajamas, however, warned Tuesday that he would be arrested for treason if he tries to return home.

The showdown was building to a climax as the presidents of Argentina and Ecuador signed on to accompany Zelaya and other figures on a flight to Honduras on Thursday. Attorney General Luis Alberto Rubi said Zelaya would be seized "as soon as he sets foot on Honduran soil" and face 20 years in prison on charges that also include abuse of authority.

"I'm going back to calm people down. I'm going to try to open a dialogue and put things in order," Zelaya said at the U.N. "When I'm back, people are going to say ... `commander, we're at your service' and the army will have to correct itself. There's no other possibility."

The U.N. General Assembly voted by acclamation to demand Zelaya's immediate restoration.

With no international support but a significant following at home, the new Honduran leadership called thousands of flag-waving people into a downtown plaza. Soldiers fenced off the area around the presidential palace, where security forces used tear gas and water cannons Monday against Zelaya supporters, injuring and arresting dozens.

The interim president named by Congress, Roberto Micheletti, said Zelaya could be arrested for violating the constitution if he returns. He also said he would not resign no matter how intense the international pressure on Honduras becomes.

"No. I was appointed by Congress, which represents the Honduran people. Nobody can make me resign unless I break the laws of the country," Micheletti said in an interview with The Associated Press at the presidential palace.

Zelaya - whose elected term ends in 2010 - had defied the Supreme Court and called a referendum on constitutional change that opponents worried would lead to Zelaya prolonging his presidency.

Zelaya backed down from the referendum on Tuesday, saying at the U.N. that he would no longer push for the constitutional changes he had wanted.

"I'm not going to hold a constitutional assembly," he said. "And if I'm offered the chance to stay in power, I won't. I'm going to serve my four years."

He said he would then go back to being a farmer - a humble description considering the wealth he has accumulated in ranching and agribusiness.

"I come from the countryside and I'm going to go back to the countryside," he said.

But Micheletti told AP that Zelaya had already violated Honduran law and it was too late for him to avoid arrest if he returns to Honduras.

Micheletti also said he was worried about the possibility of invasion from other Latin American countries, although he did not say which ones.

But earlier Tuesday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Zelaya's top ally, said any aggression toward Zelaya from Micheletti's government should prompt a military intervention by the United Nations.

"We thank God for not letting democracy be interrupted in our country," Micheletti said earlier before a crowd of some 5,000 cheering supporters in white and blue, the colors of the Honduran flag. Flanked by soldiers in camouflage, he said: "The heroes of this democratic day are the soldiers."

A pro-Zelaya crowd of about equal size marched toward the presidential palace, now protected by a chain-link fence and more than 500 soldiers and police. They dispersed as rain began to fall in the late afternoon with no reports of violence - a contrast with Monday when Zelaya said more than 150 were injured and 50 arrested. Micheletti's government didn't release figures.

Micheletti's foreign minister, Enrique Ortez, threw a wild card onto the table, telling CNN en Espanol that Zelaya had been letting drug traffickers ship U.S.-bound cocaine from Venezuela through Honduras. Ortez said the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration was aware of Zelaya's ties to organized crime.

Spokesman Rusty Payne could neither confirm nor deny a DEA investigation.

The United States stood firmly by Zelaya, however, with State Department spokesman Ian Kelly saying Washington sees no acceptable solution other than Zelaya's return to power. He said the United States is considering cutting off its aid to Honduras, which includes $215 million over four years from the U.S.-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation.

Micheletti said he had no contact with any U.S. authorities since assuming the presidency.

The U.N. vote added to an avalanche of international denunciations of the military's removal of Zelaya on Sunday, which recalled the dark days of dictatorship for which Latin America was long notorious. The world body called on all 192 U.N. member states to recognize only Zelaya's government in Honduras.

Meanwhie, blocked trucks began lining up along Honduras' borders as neighboring countries imposed a trade ban.

Some local television stations remained off the air and local media carried few reports of demonstrations in Zelaya's favor, apparently under government pressure. Ortez said freedom of expression was in full force but did not directly address the closure of stations or the temporary detention of journalists.

The U.S. military, which has close ties to Honduran commanders, tried to avoid getting caught up in the dispute. It ordered most of its 800 personnel to remain inside the Soto Cano air base, 60 miles north of Tegucigalpa, allowing only "mission-essential" tasks, Southern Command spokesman Jose Ruiz said in Miami.

Honduras receives about $1 million a year from the United States to fight drug trafficking and Soto Cano is a key base in the fight against drugs. There's also a contingent of DEA agents in country. U.S. and Honduran officials estimate about 100 tons of Colombian cocaine pass through Honduras annually on their way to the United States.

[troublemakka]

Almost all the media is not showing the true news about Honduras. I think the medias are controlled by newcons and zionistcons..I have followed the news fron aporrea, indymedia, and radios like cordinadora nacional radio. Hondura's mafia criminals oligarchy are holding the entire nation at gun point..This will never work...

[romeva]

Most everything in this article is correct, except the fact that it was not 5,000 supporters of the new government that were in the central plaza yesterday but something more like, 15,000 to 20,000, just look at the picture. And by no means the Zelaya supportes on the same day where the same size, They where less than 1,000. I hope that tomorrowa articles are not going to make the same mistake abouit todays manifestations in favor and against Zelaya. Also the problems on mondays manifestations started when the pro zelaya manifestants first started throwing rocks, and then fired revolvers at the military and police. they also destroyed all the local restaurants near the presidential office. There where only 15 wounded reported by the hospital, in where they destryed and robbed a nearby bank.

[Alejandra2009]

I, a proud honduran citizen, can say that i have never been as proud of my country as the past few days. We want peace for our country, and Mel Zelaya is everything that goes against peace and democracy. Please, international governments, at least take the time to READ the honduran constitution, and then you will see that the PEOPLE of honduras, bless they're hearts, did the absolute right thing.

[lola999]

When the elected President of a country is removed from his country at gunpoint in the middle of the night in his jammies it does not bode well for democracy in that country. Do they not have some mechanism to remove troublesome leaders without resorting to this ? No one who respects democracy can support such action.

[mauriciott]

Doesn't anybody see that these Chavez people never ever loose an election. They do anything but loose, they are the murderers of democratic procedure and hide behind a mockery they call democracy to perpetuate and take the countries for themselves. They destroy opprosition like cat on mice, they count votes at will like the Nicaraguans and Iranians did. Wake up guys, this is not the time to defend the Chavez agenda and continue to loose allies in the americas.

[perceptions5]

North Korea launches a missile and it takes Barack Obama and the UN five days to respond.

Iran holds fraudulent elections, kills protesters and it takes weeks before Barack Obama can stand up and say that he is "concerned" about the situation.

Then the people of Honduras try to uphold their constitution and laws of the land from being trampled by a Chavez-wanna be ... and it takes Barack Obama one day to proclaim that this was not a legal coup.

Between our left-ist government, our corrupt left-wing MSM wolfpack press, and the nuts at the UN .......we are in real trouble....

We are leaderless, the news and information is corrupt, and the elites at the UN who allowed 1 million Rwandans to die in 90 days is concerned about Honduras's intenal affairs.

Folks it doesn't get any worse than this

[summarex]

The people of Honduras elected Mr. Zeyala as their president. Then he broke the law when he tried to hold an illegal referendum that would have allowed him to run for president again and again just like comrades Chavez and Roosevelt. So the people, acting through their elected representatives, removed him from office through constitutional means. What is the problem? Perhaps the President should worry more about fixing this country and leave the repair of Honduras to the Hondurans. Certainly they must more about what to fix than he does.
Nuf Said

[skyk-2009]

What grade did you actually get to there Sparky? I'm betting 6th?? LOL BEFORE Roosevelt there WAS no limit to the number of times anyone could run for President in the US. It was ONLY after Roosevelt and the inability of the Republican's to defeat him that an amendment was pushed through. IF you are going to post you should take a few night classes.

[hclinton2012]

This Manuel Zelaya is a LIAR, if he gets back into the Presidency, he will never leave but will become a Dictator like Hugh Chavez is? Arrest is A$$ on the spot and try him on TREASON against their Constitution!

[skyk-2009]

Uh Huh and Iraq is harboring Bin Laden! The people of the world want this duly elected President returned to his position. IF the people what him out they can vote him out. Because you and the fringe right do not like a leader of a nation in NO WAY creates any reason to remove them or to cause another stupid blunder in that part of the world.

[yvrcatracho]

How can the OAS call for the unconditional restitution of Mel Zelaya and Honduras democracy and yet they embrace Cuba?s dictatorship with open arms? Honduras is fighting to keep its democracy alive but the free world doesn?t want to help! What is wrong with everybody? Mel Zelaya broke Honduran law by conspiring to dissolve congress and change its constitution. Additionally he is linked to drug lords in Venezuela and Colombia among other crimes. How can world leaders support this criminal is beyond me!

[hclinton2012]

Barack Obama is a Chicago Thug and knows all about DICTATORSHIP, he doesn't support democracy in Iran but this LOSER of a President Obama support this Left-wing RADICAL Manuel Zelaya to become a Dictator in a democracy like Honduras? What a JOKE this LOSER of a President Obama has become?

[skyk-2009]

You know hclinton you carried on this this trash you just posted all through the Elections.. got you butt whooped and YOU still think it's going to help your cause? YOU are not on the outside looking in because of ANY actions by the President or the OTHER Party. The Confederate Party failed the people of the country BADLY and they threw the lot of them out on their ears. Maybe you folks should stop trying to find someone to blame for your failure and address the POLICIES that were rejected? LOL

[TryTakingMyMoney]

Mr. President Micheletti...congratulations to you, your citizens and your Supreme Court for successfully overthrowing a leftist liberal socialist thug. Your constitutional succession to hold on to democracy and prevent the spread of dictatorship is to be commended. We envy you as we too are heading towards being one of the poorest countries due to a single party congress and presidential dictatorship. Apparently due to the lack of education on history, free entitlements, handouts, spreading of the wealth the majority of our citizens here have been brainwashed into surrendering their democracy and constitution. I can only hope they will wake up before it's too late. Any ideas?

[antoniof123]

I don't get this so the international community doesn't like it and if the majority of people and it looks like it is don't want him what is the problem.

I mean the courts said no, the rest of the government said no, the vast majority of people said no.

What are we doing people it is their country not ours stay the hel1 out please we don't need another Iraq.

[DaBroiler]

Why are we sticking our nose into the Honduran people's business -- it's sounds to me like they did the right thing in getting rid of a guy that was defying their Supreme Court and Congress to change the constitution so he could stay in power.

[skyk-2009]

He proposed a vote on a Constitutional Change for crying out loud. Do we NOT have enough mess in South America without coming to the aid of yet ANOTHER Latin American Dictator?

[prometheus21]

"No. I was appointed by Congress, which represents the Honduran people. Nobody can make me resign unless I break the laws of the country," Micheletti said in an interview with The Associated Press at the presidential palace.

And yet, the world is waiting to hear what law specifically was broken (ie. specifically what action or inaction President Zelaya took) or specifically what Zelaya is accused to warrant the coup to remove Zelaya from office.

For the sake of argument, this could even be like an article of impeachment [which under American law would be a charge that in itself could not warrant removal from office, but anyway for the sake of argument]. Take the main article for the actual Impeachment of President Clinton "The president provided perjurious, false and misleading testimony to the grand jury regarding the Paula Jones case and his relationship with Monica Lewinsky." (This must be read in full of course to be fully appreciated http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/stories/articles122098.htm -- American history doesn't get any better than this)

In the case of Zelaya, would the charge be something like: "The president sought to propose a referendum from the people of Honduras that would support the creation of a constitutional assembly to make changes to the current Constitution of Honduras, which currently prohibits ammendments by the National Congress that would change or eliminate restrictions for Presidential terms to one four year term."

Is that the charge? And if so, how is that illegal or why would it warrant the removal from office of an elected President, to be replaced by a non-elected individual?

These are the questions they refuse to answer? All you hear are vague charges like Zelaya violated the Honduras Constitution. If you could be more specific, considering the gravity of the situation?

[coast2co]

Once again the government controlled media CBS has it wrong. The fact is the President of Hondurus had broke there constitution by pushing an vote without the permission of the congress and the supreme court they said he was wrong. He continued to do so. This vote was to set up the ability in the fall for him to run again for president they have a term limit. Thats there law. So the president figures he'll do what is expeditant for himself to stay in power. Notice Chavez Castro and Ortega and the guy from Equador and yes President Obama are calling for his reinstatement. The AXIS of Evil I'd call them. The military moved on orders by the Congress and the Supreme Court. The military isn't even running the country there is NO COUP. If there was the General would be in charge. This is all Communist style riderick and government controlled media IE CBS, ABC, NBC and CNN are all following Stalins lead... OBAMA. Now theres allegations of drug running 3 flightsd at night almost every night from Venezuela. Remember Obama loves Chavez and Castro birds of a feather.... Media types in the USA are puppets for the Obama administration. The media in the USA are either fraid or fully agree with Obama and his policies.

[antoniof123]

Dude you should read the story here is a quote for you.

The U.N. General Assembly voted by acclamation to demand Zelaya's immediate restoration.

This is the world saying it including our politicians not just Obama. But the fact remains it is their country and I for one along with the vast majority of American's don't want another IRAQ thanks to which group the Bush bots you remember them don't you.

Don't throw stones if you live in a glass house.

[USSAmerikan]

antoniof123: The world is seeing what the Marxist press is letting them see. The undisputable truth is that the Supreme Court declared Mel Zelaya's actions illegal. In Honduras, a country with a relatively young but well crafted constitution, it is written that any attempt to modify the constitution requires a majority vote by congress... Except for a handful of areas, which include the definition of the country's borders and THE FACT THAT NO PRESIDENT CAN SERVE MORE THAN A SINGLE TERM. The crafters of the constitution wanted to ensure that nobody could pull a Fidel or a Chavez and become Caesar for a lifetime. Mel obviated that fact and was going forward with an illegal and questionable referendum using Venezuelan voting gear... That action, by its very self, is punishable by prison in Honduras, just in case you did not know. The deposition? Completely bloodless and Mel could not show anyone a single bruise... The new president? Not a military dictator, but the head of the Honduran Congress. This was a legal removal of an illegal president... No more, no less.

[endurorob]

You have to think that if Hugo Chavez is such a strong supporter of this guy yhere is definately something wrong with him. By all reports the Honduran government followed their constitution in removing this guy so why is everyone (governments) so in favor of him being returned to power? Is it just the irrational fears of the military cuops of the past in this part of the world coming back?

[skyk-2009]

Why endurorob? Because someone YOU don't like likes someone else, they do not have legal rights? They do not have rights under INTERNATIONAL Law? Thats INSANE!

[USSAmerikan]

Interesting how CBS insists in only showing the small groups of protestors that are against the change in government. CBS did not show the TENS OF THOUSANDS who took to the streets yesterday who don't want their constitution changed!!!!