The interim president of Honduras says the United States has revoked
his visa in an attempt to help restore ousted President Manuel Zelaya.
Interim
President Roberto Micheletti told Radio HRN, a Honduran radio station,
Saturday he is not bothered by the decision, calling it an example of
the pressure the U.S. is trying to exert on the country.
The
Central American nation's current administration contends Mr. Zelaya
was legally removed from office because he violated a Supreme Court
decision ordering him to stop trying to change the constitution to
ensure his continued hold on power. But the U.S. State Department has
said Mr. Zelaya's ouster was not legal.
The U.S. has also
criticized the interim Honduran government for refusing to accept a
Costa Rican-brokered plan that would reinstate Mr. Zelaya.
Earlier
this week the U.S. cut off $11 million in aid to Honduras for two
transportation projects. Another $4 million in aid for another road
project is also being put on hold.
U.S. officials say
restoration of any of the terminated aid funds will depend on Honduras'
return to democratic, constitutional governance.
The interim
government has scheduled elections for November, but U.S. officials say
that, based on current conditions, Washington will not recognize the
results. The U.S. State Department says a vote in Honduras must be
conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner.
Interim president Micheletti says the election will take place even if other countries do not recognize the result.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
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