Clinton Calls Zelaya 'Reckless' for Trying to Return to Honduras
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday described ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya's attempts to return to to his country as "reckless," as Zelaya defied the threat of arrest.
Clinton, addressed the news developing on the border between Nicaragua and Honduras during her news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki. Clinton chastised Zelaya for trying to cross into Honduras. The ousted leader reportedly took a few symbolic steps into the country only to be confronted by Honduran security forces.
The de facto government, led by Roberto Micheletti, has threatened to arrest Zelaya if he made such an attempt.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The U.S. has looked to Costa Rica to broker a deal after initially calling for the immediate reinstatement of Zelaya, who was forcibly removed from office and from the country on June 28.
The talks mediated by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias appeared to collapse earlier this week when neither side honored a 72-hour deadline to return to the table. The Honduran Congress is due to meet Monday to discuss the proposal from Arias, which calls for Zelaya to complete the remainder of his six-month term in office and for the country to expedite elections.
Clinton called for both sides to exhibit restraint.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We have consistently urged all parties to avoid any provocative action that could lead to violence," she said.
This is the second time that Zelaya has attempted to return to his homeland since Micheletti seized power. He tried to return by air a week into the crisis, but his plane was turned away.