Honduran Leader: U.S. Revoked My Visas

(AP)  Honduras' interim president said Saturday that the United States has revoked his visas to pressure the Central American country to reinstate ousted leader Manuel Zelaya, exiled in a June 28 coup.

Roberto Micheletti said losing his diplomatic and tourist visas would not weaken his resolve against Zelaya's return.

U.S. State Department spokesman Darby Holladay could not confirm whether the visas were revoked. Last week the U.S. cut off millions of dollars in aid to the Honduran government in response to Micheletti's refusal to accept a mediated accord that would return Zelaya to power with limited authority until elections set for November.

"This is a sign of the pressure that the United States is exerting on our country," Micheletti said Saturday on Radio station HRN.

He said the move "changes nothing because I am not willing to take back what has happened in Honduras."

There was no immediate reaction from Zelaya, who is currently in Nicaragua.

The San Jose accord was brokered by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, who won the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize for his role in helping end Central America's civil wars.

Washington recently revoked the U.S. visas of some of Micheletti's Honduran allies and supporters. The U.S. also has stopped issuing most visas at its embassy in Tegucigalpa.

Micheletti said the other officials lost only their diplomatic visas, while he also had his tourist visa revoked.

"I'm OK because I expected the decision and I accept it with dignity ... and without the least bit of resentment or anger at the United States because it is that country's right," he said.

However, Micheletti complained that the letter he received from the State Department addressed him as president of Congress, his position prior to Zelaya's ouster, and not president of Honduras.

"It doesn't even say 'Mr. President of the republic' or anything," he said.

Micheletti reiterated that "the United States has always been a friend of Honduras and will continue being one forever, in spite of the actions it has taken."

The eliminated U.S. aid includes more than $31 million in non-humanitarian assistance to Honduras, including $11 million remaining in a more than a $200 million, five-year assistance program run by the Millennium Challenge Corporation.

Honduran interim Information Minister Rene Zepeda told The Associated Press on Saturday that the government expects the U.S. to revoke the visas of at least 1,000 more public officials "in the coming days."
By Associated Press Writer Freddy Cuevas

[jqing]

At the end of his second presidential period ex president Bush had its greatest unpopularity ranking and the opinion polls did not approve the war in which the country was engaged. Would that be a valid reason for the Supreme Court to remove him from office and subsequently the involvement of the Pentagon in a coup against the democratically elected government?

[rocketjl]

You have to understand the US government has it's list of acceptable bad guys. A person put in office by a country should not be interfered with by us. I'm sure it works differently at various times. I am a little confused by Algeria, Iran, Cuba, Russia, North Korea, and that Chavez guy.

I guess, different strokes for different folks.

[Sloughfoot]

If the Supreme Court of the U.S. were to rule that Obama was not a U.S. Citizen and remove him from office, would that be a coup or a judicial ruling based upon the Constitution of the Country?

[jqing]

Come on. It is ridiculous to think that president Obama has ideological motivations over the honduran crisis. Washington recognizes Mr. Zelaya as the democratically-elected leader of Honduras and that a "terrible precedent" would be set if the coup manages to consolidate. Despite the political differences that exists between leaders like Chavez and Castro, it is important fot the USA to stand on the side of democracy.

[vietnamwar]

Obama Administration are the most S&****, this is an opportunity to get rid of Chevez get it ?

[brianbwb-2009]

And why should that happen?

Chavez has not attacked the US, is no threat to the US, and so your "opportunity" is itself illegal, and your support of such is proof that you are no better than lawless terrorists, who would deny the people of other countries their elected leaders.

[vietnamwar]

by brianbwb-2009 September 12, 2009 10:52 PM EDT
And why should that happen?

their elected leaders.

WHAT LEADER ? he change th

[carolhill814]

We have no business getting involved with their politics we have our own problems and that is a fact.

[brianbwb-2009]

Now there is a voice of reason, except we do have an international obligation not to recognize people who seize power via coup, against the wishes of the majority of that country's citizens.

[jqing]

It´s hillarious. Micheletti complaining that the letter he received from the State Department anouncing him that his visa had been revoked did not adress him as "Mr. president of the Republic". The proper reference should be: president de facto or Mr. Goriletti. Who is he trying to fool. If the world has not discovered yet, there was never a coup in Honduras. What happened there was merely a
"constitutional succession". No way Jose.

[hugomutt1576]

U.S visa is not that important.You should remain strong in your democratic stand.The State Department will eventually come to you on its knees and offer a dozen visas.America listenes to only dictators like those of North Korea,Iran,and Libya.It overthrows democratic leaders.Heard of Allende?

[ToolMangler1]

"Honduran Leader: U.S. Revoked My Visas"



Poor wittle fella!!
He should be happy, They still are willing to let him play in 'traffic'!

This is a case of "The enemy I 'know' is preferred to the enemy I don't know"...