Summary
29 June 2009
A nationwide curfew is in force in Honduras following the ousting by the military of President Manuel Zelaya. The acting president, Roberto Micheletti, said an election would take place in November as scheduled.
Reporter:
Steven Gibbs
Presidential palace in Tegucigalpa
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A curfew has been imposed across the entire country. All roads are completely deserted of cars. In driving rain only a handful of protestors were left in the streets of the capital.
Many Hondurans say there's a total lack of information as to what exactly has happened to their country and their President. Officially Honduras has a new President - Roberto Micheletti is the speaker of the Honduran Congress and, according the constitution, he will remain in power until elections are held.
But speaking from exile in Costa Rica, the ousted President Zelaya has indicated he will not be going quietly. He says he was ousted by an illegal coup. His opponents say that his attempts to extend his rule meant that they were legally obliged to remove him from office.
Steven Gibbs, 大象传媒 News, Mexico City
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Vocabulary
- curfew
when people's movements are officially restricted; usually when there is a curfew, you are not allowed to stay outdoors after a specific time
- imposed
officially declared and enforced
- driving rain
forceful, violent rain that is made stronger by a very strong wind
- a handful of
very few
- total lack
complete absence
- ousted
forced to leave his position of power
- will not be going quietly
here, will fight back to return to his presidential position
- an illegal coup
when a political or military organisation suddenly takes power from the government, acting in a way that is against the law
- to extend his rule
to remain in power (even though he has been president long enough to be constitutionally banned from staying in office for another term)
- were legally obliged to
by law, had no other choice but to
