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Honduran military told to turn back Zelaya's jet
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-07-06 07:00
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras: Honduras' exiled president flew toward home in a Venezuelan jet in a high-stakes attempt to return to power on Sunday, even as the interim government ordered the military to turn away the plane. Protests at the airport turned violent, despite Manuel Zelaya's appeals to remain peaceful. Security forces fired warning shots and tear gas toward thousands of his supporters, some of whom threw rocks and set a fire. A van tore through the crowd as someone shouted through loudspeakers to make way for the wounded. A Red Cross spokesman said no one had been killed. "I am the commander of the armed forces, elected by the people, and I ask the armed forces to comply with the order to open the airport so that there is no problem in landing and embracing with my people," Zelaya said while en route. "Today I feel like I have sufficient spiritual strength, blessed with the blood of Christ, to be able to arrive there and raise the crucifix."
"We will be here until the country calms down," Micheletti told a news conference. "We are the authentic representatives of the people." Thousands of protesters descended on the airport in the Honduran capital in anticipation of the showdown, pressing against about 250 officers with riot shields as they waved Honduran flags and posters of Zelaya, chanting "Honduras! Honduras!" Police helicopters hovered overhead. Commercial flights were canceled, and each private plane landing was met on the tarmac by armed police. Micheletti also alleged that Nicaragua is moving troops to their border in an attempt at psychological intimidation, and warned them not to cross into Honduras, "because we're ready to defend our border." Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega called the allegation "totally false." Honduras' civil aviation director said Zelaya's plane was ordered not to enter Honduran air space. Zelaya won wide international support after his military ouster a week ago, but the only prominent escort aboard his plane was the UN General Assembly president after Latin American leaders backed out, citing security concerns. At least three other planes left the Washington area separately, carrying Latin American presidents, the secretary-general of the Organization of American States and journalists. They were trailing Zelaya to see what happens in the skies over Honduras before deciding where to land. Flying with Zelaya were close advisers and staff, two journalists from the Venezuela-based network Telesur, and UN General Assembly President Miguel D'Escoto Brockmann, a leftist Nicaraguan priest and former foreign minister who personally condemned Zelaya's ouster as a coup d'etat. The Telesur crew enabled Zelaya to speak in a live interview from the air. "No one can obligate me to turn around," Zelaya declared. But with their safety not guaranteed, Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa pleaded with the Honduran military forces to avoid bloodshed. "If there is violence the whole world must clearly know who is responsible," he said. |
