Honduras faces isolation after president remains exiled

Published on Saturday 4 July 2009 19:54

HONDURAS' refusal to restore ousted president Manuel Zelaya, despite an appeal by the top envoy for the Americas, has put the impoverished nation on a collision course with the world community that could lead to its isolation.

Honduras said it would no longer recognise the Organisation of American States charter, claiming the diplomatic body attempted to impose "unilateral and indignant resolutions" on the new government, which took power a week ago in a military-backed coup and forced Zelaya into exile.

OAS chief Jose Miguel Insulza had demanded Zelaya be restored to office and yesterday the organisation was to discuss suspending the Central American nation's membership. But interim Honduras president Roberto Micheletti has said "the OAS is a political organisation, not a court, and it can't judge us".

The move means Honduras, one of the poorest countries in the Americas, will leave the OAS and will not face sanctions by the organisation, though it would not prevent other groups and countries from suspending aid and loans.

Several nations are set to shun Micheletti. Neighbouring countries have imposed trade blockades, the United States has halted joint military operations and European Union ambassadors have abandoned the Honduran capital. The World Bank has suspended $200 million (123m) in financing, and the Inter-American Development Bank has put $450m on hold.

Insulza, who was in Tegulcigalpa, met the country's Supreme Court, attorney general and other political figures. "We wanted to ask that this situation be reversed," he said afterwards. "Unfortunately, there appears to be no willingness to do this."

The Supreme Court, which had authorised the coup, said it would not agree to reinstate the toppled leftist leader.

Micheletti's interim government has blamed Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez for stoking the crisis. "If Honduras is out of the OAS, well, we will be isolated ... little by little we will regain the confidence of other nations," said assistant foreign minister Martha Lorena Alvarado. "Zelaya's return is not negotiable."

Insulza was given documents showing that charges are pending or have been brought against Zelaya. The OAS diplomat also met the two main candidates in Honduras' 29 November elections, as well the Popular Block umbrella group of farm, labour and student groups that largely supports Zelaya.

But Insulza said he would not see Micheletti, whom Congress named president, to avoid legitimising the government.

Zelaya, meanwhile, was travelling in Central America and planned to return to Honduras today, according to Nicaraguan president Daniel Ortega. But officials have vowed to arrest the ousted leader on his return.

The US embassy last week expressed "deep concern" over restrictions imposed by the new government, including a curfew and "reports of intimidation and censorship against individuals and media outlets."