UN tells Honduras to accept Zelaya

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – Honduras’ ousted president won overwhelming international support Tuesday as he planned a high-profile return to his chaotic country. The politicians who sent soldiers to fly him into exile in his pajamas said he will be arrested for treason if he tries.

The interim leader named by Congress, Roberto Micheletti, warned only an armed invasion could restore toppled President Manuel Zelaya.

“He has already committed crimes against the constitution and the law,” Micheletti said in an interview with The Associated Press from the heavily fortified presidential palace. “He can no longer return to the presidency of the republic unless a president from another Latin American country comes and imposes him using guns.”

The showdown was building to a climax as the presidents of Argentina and Ecuador signed on to accompany Zelaya and the heads of the Organization of American States and the U.N. General Assembly on a flight to Honduras on Thursday.

Honduran Attorney General Luis Alberto Rubi said Zelaya would be seized “as soon as he sets foot on Honduran soil” and face 20 years in prison on charges that also include abuse of authority.

“I’m going back to calm people down. I’m going to try to open a dialogue and put things in order,” Zelaya said at the United Nations. “When I’m back, people are going to say ... ‘Commander, we’re at your service,’ and the army will have to correct itself. There’s no other possibility.”

The U.N. General Assembly voted by acclamation to demand Zelaya’s immediate restoration, and the Organization of American States was meeting to consider suspending Honduras for straying from democracy. Albert Rambin, the organization’s assistant secretary-general, said the new president intended to send a Honduran delegation to the Organization of American States, but it would not be accepted.

With no international support but a significant following at home, the new Honduran leadership called thousands of flag-waving people into a downtown plaza. Soldiers fenced off the area around the presidential palace, where security forces used tear gas and water cannons Monday against Zelaya supporters, injuring and arresting dozens.

Zelaya – whose elected term ends in January 2010 – had defied the Supreme Court and called a referendum on constitutional change that opponents worried would lead to Zelaya prolonging his presidency.

Zelaya backed down from the referendum on Tuesday, saying at the United Nations he would no longer push for the constitutional changes he had wanted.

“I’m not going to hold a constitutional assembly,” he said. “And if I’m offered the chance to stay in power, I won’t. I’m going to serve my four years.”