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<< Previous   of   Next >> Associated Press  (click to enlarge) Supporters of ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya cheer as his airplane flies overhead at the airport in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on Sunday. At least one person was killed during clashes around the airport as Zelaya was prevented from landing by military blocking the runway.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Do you have a news tip? newstips@heraldnet.com | 425.339.3400   Published: Monday, July 6, 2009 Soldiers keep president of Honduras from returning Associated Press TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras -- Ousted President Manuel Zelaya was kept from landing at the main Honduras airport Sunday because the runway was blocked by military vehicles and groups of soldiers, some of them clashing with a crowd of thousands outside. His Venezuelan pilots circled around the airport and decided not to risk a crash. Zelaya instead landed in Nicaragua on his way to El Salvador, and vowed to try again today or Tuesday in his high-stakes effort to return to power in a country where all branches of government have lined up against him. "I am the commander of the armed forces, elected by the people, and I ask the armed forces to comply with the order to open the airport so that there is no problem in landing and embracing my people," Zelaya said from the plane. "Today I feel like I have sufficient spiritual strength, blessed with the blood of Christ, to be able to arrive there and raise the crucifix." But interim President Roberto Micheletti insisted on keeping him out, and said he won't negotiate until "things return to normal." "We will be here until the country calms down," Micheletti said. "We are the authentic representatives of the people." Micheletti also accused Nicaragua of moving troops in an attempt at psychological intimidation, and warned them not to cross into Honduras, "because we're ready to defend our border." Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega called the allegation "totally false." Violence broke out among the huge crowd surrounding the airport, with at least one man killed -- shot in the head from inside the airport as people tried to break through a security fence, according to an Associated Press photographer at the scene. At least 30 people were treated for injuries, the Red Cross said, after security forces fired warning shots and tear gas. When Zelaya's plane was turned away, his supporters began chanting "We want blue helmets!" -- a reference to U.N. peacekeepers. Zelaya called on the United Nations, the OAS, the United States and European countries to "do something with this repressive regime." Honduras' new government has vowed to arrest Zelaya for 18 alleged criminal acts including treason and failing to implement more than 80 laws approved by Congress since taking office in 2006. Zelaya also refused to comply with a Supreme Court ruling against his planned referendum on whether to hold an assembly to consider changing the constitution. Critics feared Zelaya might try to extend his rule and cement presidential power in ways similar to what his ally Hugo Chavez has done in Venezuela. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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