Acting Honduran President Will Not Confront Brazil Over Asylum of Zelaya

Tuesday, September 22, 2009
by Enrique Krause for the BBC's Biodun Iginla – 1 hour ago TEGUCIGALPA ...

22 September 2009




Ousted Honduras President Manuel Zelaya closes door inside Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa, 21 Sep 2009
The acting president of Honduras, Roberto Micheletti, says his government will not confront Brazil over its sheltering of ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya in its embassy in the capital, Tegucigalpa.

Micheletti told Reuters news agency Tuesday that Brazil should either grant Mr. Zelaya asylum within Brazil's borders, or turn him over to the Micheletti government. But he said his government has no intention of forcing the issue.

Both Brazil and the United States have called for calm, urging all sides to avoid actions that would lead to further unrest. A State Department spokesman, Ian Kelly urged both sides to sign an agreement mediated by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias.

The de facto Honduran government has promised to respect international rules protecting diplomatic premises, but the embassy has been surrounded by police and soldiers. Water and power supplies were turned off at one point, although the reason is not clear.

Mr. Zelaya surprised the caretaker government by sneaking into the country Monday.



President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, 21 Sep 2009
He says his return is a new opportunity for dialogue, although he has been urging supporters to stage peaceful protests.

Brazil's president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, spoke by telephone to Mr. Zelaya Tuesday. He said he told the ousted leader not to give the interim government a reason to resort to violence.

Police used tear gas Tuesday to disperse thousands of Zelaya supporters. The demonstrators spent the night outside the embassy, despite a nationwide curfew.

Brazil's foreign minister says his country played no part in Mr. Zelaya's return, but simply accepted his bid for asylum at the embassy.

The secretary-general of the Organization of American States, Jose Miguel Insulza, warned the interim Honduran government that it is responsible for Mr. Zelaya's safety as well as the security of the Brazilian embassy.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.



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Posted by BiodunIginla at 11:51 PM Labels: enrique krause, honduras, Manuel Zelaya

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