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Honduras tense over Zelaya return | Honduras tense over Zelaya return |
(20 minutes later) | |
Tensions are rising in Honduras ahead of a promised return of ousted President Manuel Zelaya. | |
Mr Zelaya, who was removed by troops a week ago, says he will fly back to the Central American nation later today. | Mr Zelaya, who was removed by troops a week ago, says he will fly back to the Central American nation later today. |
But the new government says it will arrest him if he comes back and the capital's archbishop has warned of a possible "bloodbath". | But the new government says it will arrest him if he comes back and the capital's archbishop has warned of a possible "bloodbath". |
His promised return comes a day after the top regional body suspended Honduras over the crisis. | His promised return comes a day after the top regional body suspended Honduras over the crisis. |
Supporters of the ousted leader were said to be gathering in the capital, Tegucigalpa, in order to meet him at the airport. | Supporters of the ousted leader were said to be gathering in the capital, Tegucigalpa, in order to meet him at the airport. |
"I imagine there'll be blood and I'm ready for it. We're not afraid," supporter Marisol Velasquez told AFP. | "I imagine there'll be blood and I'm ready for it. We're not afraid," supporter Marisol Velasquez told AFP. |
The BBC's Stephen Gibbs, in the capital, says there are growing fears of violence. | The BBC's Stephen Gibbs, in the capital, says there are growing fears of violence. |
'Accompany me' | 'Accompany me' |
The military - backed by Congress and the courts - forced Mr Zelaya out of Honduras on 28 June over his plans to hold a vote on possible constitutional change. | The military - backed by Congress and the courts - forced Mr Zelaya out of Honduras on 28 June over his plans to hold a vote on possible constitutional change. |
CRISIS TIMELINE President Zelaya planned non-binding public consultation on constitutional changeCritics say he wanted to stay in power28 June: Troops seize and expel Zelaya; parliamentary speaker becomes interim leader29 June: US President Obama condemns the overthrow as illegal4 July: Organization of American States suspends Honduras in protest at overthrow Profile: Manuel Zelaya Q&A: Crisis in Honduras Send us your comments | CRISIS TIMELINE President Zelaya planned non-binding public consultation on constitutional changeCritics say he wanted to stay in power28 June: Troops seize and expel Zelaya; parliamentary speaker becomes interim leader29 June: US President Obama condemns the overthrow as illegal4 July: Organization of American States suspends Honduras in protest at overthrow Profile: Manuel Zelaya Q&A: Crisis in Honduras Send us your comments |
But his removal has been widely criticised by the international community. | But his removal has been widely criticised by the international community. |
Mr Zelaya says he will fly back to the country from Washington, arriving between 1300 and 1400 local time (1900 - 2000GMT). | Mr Zelaya says he will fly back to the country from Washington, arriving between 1300 and 1400 local time (1900 - 2000GMT). |
"I ask all farmers, residents, Indians, young people and all workers' groups, businessmen and friends... to accompany me on my return to Honduras," he said in a taped statement sent to media outlets. | "I ask all farmers, residents, Indians, young people and all workers' groups, businessmen and friends... to accompany me on my return to Honduras," he said in a taped statement sent to media outlets. |
"Do not bring weapons. Practice what I have always preached, which is non-violence. Let them be the ones who use violence, weapons and repression." | "Do not bring weapons. Practice what I have always preached, which is non-violence. Let them be the ones who use violence, weapons and repression." |
Mr Zelaya says he will be accompanied by the leaders of Ecuador and Argentina. It has also been suggested that officials from the Organization of American States could go with him. | Mr Zelaya says he will be accompanied by the leaders of Ecuador and Argentina. It has also been suggested that officials from the Organization of American States could go with him. |
Late on Saturday, the OAS suspended Honduras - the first time the organisation had taken such a measure since Cuba was suspended in 1962, when it allied itself with the USSR. | Late on Saturday, the OAS suspended Honduras - the first time the organisation had taken such a measure since Cuba was suspended in 1962, when it allied itself with the USSR. |
'Stay away' | 'Stay away' |
But the new government in Honduras appears to be standing firm. | But the new government in Honduras appears to be standing firm. |
"The OAS is a political organisation, not a court, and it can't judge us," interim President Roberto Micheletti said prior to the suspension. | "The OAS is a political organisation, not a court, and it can't judge us," interim President Roberto Micheletti said prior to the suspension. |
On Saturday supporters of the interim government rallied in the capital waving flags and shouting anti-Zelaya slogans. | On Saturday supporters of the interim government rallied in the capital waving flags and shouting anti-Zelaya slogans. |
Demonstrations so far have been mostly peaceful but correspondents say the country is becoming increasingly polarised. | Demonstrations so far have been mostly peaceful but correspondents say the country is becoming increasingly polarised. |
Tegucigalpa Archbishop Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriguez has urged Mr Zelaya to stay away to prevent violence. | Tegucigalpa Archbishop Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriguez has urged Mr Zelaya to stay away to prevent violence. |
"We think that a return to the country at the moment could provoke a bloodbath," he said in a statement broadcast on radio and television. | "We think that a return to the country at the moment could provoke a bloodbath," he said in a statement broadcast on radio and television. |
Mr Zelaya, a wealthy businessman, is a left-wing politician and supporter of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. | Mr Zelaya, a wealthy businessman, is a left-wing politician and supporter of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. |
His opponents, which includes the Supreme Court and a majority in parliament, accuse him of seeking to prolong his rule. | His opponents, which includes the Supreme Court and a majority in parliament, accuse him of seeking to prolong his rule. |
He had wanted to hold a popular vote on convening a constitutional convention - a move that could have removed the current one-term limit for presidents. | He had wanted to hold a popular vote on convening a constitutional convention - a move that could have removed the current one-term limit for presidents. |