U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the top priority in
Honduras is to restore full democratic and constitutional order, after
the president was arrested and expelled from the country on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters Monday, Clinton called the events a coup, but did
not say whether the U.S. will cut off aid to Honduras. She said the
situation is "fast-moving" and added a "good outcome" would be a return
to the rule of law within a short time.
The ousted president, Manuel Zelaya, was first taken to Costa Rica, and
is now in Nicaragua to meet with other Latin American presidents.
The Honduran Supreme Court says it ordered the army to arrest him
because of his attempt to hold a referendum on changing the
constitution to allow him to run for another term. The court had ruled
the referendum as illegal.
Lawmakers appointed Roberto Micheletti as president. Mr. Micheletti on
Monday asked for respect for the country to prepare for general
elections in November.
The newly installed president is facing growing pressure from foreign
governments including the United States, Venezuela, and Mexico. But he
said Monday that his new government is not afraid of anyone.
Sunday after his swearing-in, he defended his rise to power, saying it was a legal transition process and was not a coup.
Separately, the media rights group Reporters Without Borders says it is
worried about the impact of the situation on press freedom, saying the
broadcasts of several radio and television stations have been suspended
during a nighttime curfew.
The U.N. General Assembly is discussing the situation in Honduras.
Mr. Zelaya was elected in 2006 to a four-year term. The 1982
constitution bans re-election. Despite his ouster, he has pledged to
serve out his term.