'Reinstatement or death,' Zelaya tells supporters (1st Lead)

Sep 22, 2009, 10:55 GMT

Followers of ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya participate in a rally in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, 21 September 2009. Zelaya returned to the Central American country on 21 September and had taken refuge in the Brazilian Embassy in Tegucigalpa. EPA/GUSTAVO AMADOR

Tegucigalpa, Honduras - Honduras was placed under a new curfew Tuesday as thousands of supporters of ousted president Manuel Zelaya gathered outside the Brazilian embassy where he had taken refuge.

'My position is, fatherland, reinstatement (as president) or death,' Zelaya told a fervent crowd.

The de facto government of Roberto Micheletti extended the curfew from Monday to Tuesday while diplomatic pressure mounted for Zelaya`s restoration to office.

Commercial and private flights were also suspended at the country's four international airports.

The de facto government condemned the clandestine return of Zelaya, who had been sent into exile in a June 28 coup.

Micheletti, the former speaker of Congress elevated to president after Zelaya's ouster, said the only way Zelaya could legally return to the country would be to surrender to face criminal charges filed against him during his exile.

The government urged Brazil to hand Zelaya over so he could face 18 charges presented by prosecutors, including treason and abuse of authority.

Speaking on the television news programme Telenoticias, however, Micheletti said it would be best for Zelaya to leave the country to avoid violence.

He advised Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to take in his ally, explaining that Brazil could also grant Zelaya political asylum.

Outside the embassy, thousands of people gathered to 'protect' Zelaya with a human shield while police patrolled and police helicopters overflew the area.

Diplomatic pressure in favour of Zelaya increased, as the Organization of American States (OAS) met in emergency session Monday and demanded that he be reinstated as president until his term expires in January.

The European Union Tuesday expressed its backing for a 'negotiated solution' and urged all parties 'to refrain from any action that might increase tension and violence.'

Earlier, the de facto government had denied Zelaya's presence amid conflicting reports of his precise whereabouts.

From New York, Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim confirmed that Zelaya was in the Brazilian Embassy in Tegucigalpa and said that Brazil hopes to achieve 'a peaceful and quick solution for Zelaya's current situation.'

The ousted president, who had been expected to speak to the UN General Assembly this week in New York, spoke to Venezuelan-based television channel Telesur from the embassy.

'It is time for reconciliation, for meeting each other again so we can design the path that allows Honduras to get back the peace and quiet it needs so much,' Zelaya said.

Zelaya continues to be recognized by the international community as the legitimate Honduran leader. The government set up after the coup is headed by Micheletti, who was next in line under presidential succession rules.

Since the coup, Honduras has been suspended from membership in the OAS and has been isolated in the Americas and subjected to economic sanctions.

In July, EU member states halted bilateral development cooperation, with the exception of humanitarian assistance and emergency relief.

Jose Miguel Insulza, secretary-general of the Organization of American States (OAS), said in a statement from Washington: 'I want to make a call to calm for all parties involved in this process and to tell the authorities of the de facto government that they have to take responsibility for the security of President Zelaya and of the Brazilian Embassy.'

In New York, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton urged immediate negotiations to resolve the impasse without violence.

It was 'imperative' that Zelaya`s return did not lead to violence, and that both sides restrained their supporters, Clinton said.

Chavez said in Caracas that the ousted president returned to Honduras 'over land, crossing rivers, risking his life with barely four companions.'

Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, acting as mediator in the Honduran crisis, had drafted a proposal known as the San Jose Accord to end the standoff, but it has been rejected by the interim Honduran government.

It calls for Zelaya to be reinstated as president to head a government of national reconciliation until his constitutional term ends in January.

The next presidential election is scheduled for November 29.