MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Honduras breaks diplomatic relations with Argentina

De facto president Micheletti also warned pro Zelaya protestors he will not tolerate “vandalism”.

Honduras suspended diplomatic relations with Argentina on Tuesday in retaliation for having its ambassador expelled from Argentina last week. The move stems from tensions between the two countries over the June 28 coup in which Honduran President Jose Manuel Zelaya was replaced by congressional leader Roberto Micheletti.

When Honduran Ambassador Carmen Eleonora Ortez Williams, who had been appointed by Zelaya, did not protest the coup, Argentina took exception. Micheletti argues that Zelaya was not overthrown in a coup, but rather removed from power through constitutional means.

Most countries in the world -- as well as the United Nations, the Organization of American States and the European Union -- have denounced the coup and demanded that Zelaya be restored to power. Those nations still consider Zelaya president and do not recognize any officials from Micheletti's government or any functionaries who support him.

Argentina asked Ortez to leave last week “for supporting the de facto government of Roberto Micheletti.” On Tuesday, Honduras suspended relations with Argentina and asked the diplomats to leave within 72 hours. Honduras' relations with Argentina will be “channeled” though the Argentine embassy in Israel, said a release issued in Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital.

“With regards to Argentine personnel stationed in Tegucigalpa and who are finishing their functions in Honduras, they will be granted, based on the principle of strictest reciprocity, the same treatment, time and facilities that were conceded to Honduran functionaries accredited in Argentina” the Honduran release said.

De facto president Micheletti on Tuesday also warned that he will put an end to all forms of “vandalism” from supporters of ousted President Zelaya, adding he prays every day for “no blood shedding” during the rallies against his regime.

Micheletti has accused Zelaya supporters of setting on fire a commuter bus, a fast food outlet and attacking businesses in Tegucigalpa during the protests. Leaders of the National Resistance Front against the June 28th coup claim that “infiltrators” are responsible for the acts of violence.

Micheletti called for a peaceful solution to the conflict in the framework of the agreement worked out by Costa Rican president Oscar Arias, but cautioned that the agreement can never be an “imposition”.