Honduran interim leaders reinstate curfew citing threat of rebellion

[Judi Lynn]

Honduran interim leaders reinstate curfew citing threat of rebellion
Associated Press - July 16, 2009 10:23 AM ET

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) - Honduras' interim president says supporters of his deposed predecessor are taking up arms and may be planning to try to return Manuel Zelaya to power by force.

Interim President Roberto Micheletti qualified his comment by saying he didn't know whether the reports were true, but he'd heard through unofficial channels that Zelaya would try to return to Honduras through the Nicaraguan border on Saturday. Micheletti also said that forces, who he did not identify, were handing out guns to foment rebellion.

Earlier this week, Zelaya said Hondurans have a constitutional right to launch an insurrection against an illegitimate government.

While Micheletti says he remains confident that the leadership crisis will be resolved through dialogue, Zelaya warns he'll pull out of talks if the interim government doesn't soon leave.

Yesterday, Micheletti offered to step down "to bring peace and tranquility to the country," but only if guaranteed that Zelaya would not return to power.

http://www.kristv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10737020&nav=menu192_2

[Judi Lynn]

1. Honduras braces for protests ahead of talks

Honduras braces for protests ahead of talks
Thu Jul 16, 2009 3:58pm BST

By Simon Gardner and Gustavo Palencia

TEGUCIGALPA, July 16 (Reuters) - Supporters of ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya gathered at main entry points to the capital on Thursday, planning to pressure the interim government with street protests ahead of weekend mediation talks.

Caretaker President Roberto Micheletti's administration, installed by Honduras' Congress after the June 28 coup that toppled Zelaya, stepped up security around the country and reimposed a curfew late on Wednesday after a pro-Zelaya peasant leader vowed nationwide demonstrations.

The renewed protests, following a call by Zelaya for "popular insurrection" to back his reinstatement, came two days before Costa Rican President Oscar Arias was due to host talks between the rival sides in the Honduran crisis.

At the southern entrance to Tegucigalpa, about 100 protesters congregated on Thursday morning, holding a banner that read "Liberals against the coup" and watched by police in full riot gear.

Protesters were also gathering at the eastern entry road.

"I'm here because they have called on the people to demand the return of President Zelaya," said 33-year-old out-of-work electrician Leonidas Lopez. "They have told us he will soon be here (back in Honduras). It depends on us."

Juan Barahona, leader of the National Front for Resistance Against the Coup which is campaigning for Zelaya's return, said his supporters would try to block access highways into Tegucigalpa and the other main city, San Pedro Sula.

"We're going to hold two big demonstrations, taking over the roads to strike at the economy of the coup-supporting businessmen," he told Reuters by telephone.

More:
http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKN1641016520090716?rpc=401&&pageNumber=1

[Billy Burnett]

2. Strange that Cubanet doesn't have any reports from the Honduran gulag.

:sarcasm: