Nicaragua police evacuate US ambassador to safety (Roundup)

Oct 31, 2009, 2:58 GMT

Managua/Washington - The US ambassador to Nicaragua was evacuated by police Friday from a university in the capital city after demonstrators threw fireworks at him for raising questions about a Supreme Court decision that changed the constitution.

The ambassador, Robert Callahan, took refuge in a classroom at the Central American University (UCA, a Jesuit institution,) until he was removed to safety. He had been attending an intercultural event with other ambassadors.

Local television showed images of a nervous-looking Callahan surrounded by US embassy security officials and the anti-riot squad of the Nicaraguan police.

On Thursday, hundreds of supporters of the government of President Daniel Ortega demonstrated in front of the US embassy, where they demanded Callahan's expulsion from the country.

Callahan provoked anger when he criticized a recent Supreme Court decision that removed term limits and allowed Ortega to run for a second term.

Callahan has charged that the court's decision was hasty, illegal and overrode the need for democratic public debate and discussion on such an important issue.

'In our view, the Nicaraguan Supreme Court acted in undue and uncharacteristic haste, in secret, with the participation of judges from a single political movement, and without public debate or discussion,' Ortega told a gathering of the American Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday.

He said such an issue that affects 'the future of Nicaraguas democracy deserves due deliberation and diligence,' according to prepared remarks posted on the embassy's website.

In Washington, Nicaragua protested before the Organization of American States that Callahan had interfered in the internal affairs of the Central American country with his comments.

The court verdict changed the 1987 constitution, which prohibited consecutive presidential terms. Ortega had tried without success to get the National Assembly to amend the charter.

The court decision also benefits 109 mayors and vice mayors of Ortega's ruling Sandinista Front, allowing them to run for re- election in 2012.

Ortega was president from 1984 to 1990 as leader of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), which had ruled since 1979. He was defeated in the 1990 elections.

In Washington, US Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said she supported Callahan, saying he had been targeted by Sandinistas 'simply for standing for democratic principles and raising questions about recent political developments in that country.'