Honduras' coup-installed government dug in its heels after Washington cut off millions of dollars in aid to the Central American nation, vowing that ousted President Manuel Zelaya would not return to power despite increasing international pressure, AP reported. Hours after President Barack Obama's administration cut off all aid to the Honduran government, the government of interim President Roberto Micheletti sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton condemning the decision Thursday night. Washington's action, announced as Clinton was meeting with Zelaya, makes permanent a temporary suspension of U.S. assistance put in place after he was deposed in June. It cuts more than $31 million in non-humanitarian assistance, including $11 million remaining in a more than a $200 million five-year assistance program run by the Millennium Challenge Corporation. «The Secretary of State has made the decision, consistent with U.S. legislation, recognizing the need for strong measures in light of the continued resistance to the adoption of the San Jose Accord by the de facto regime and continuing failure to restore democratic, constitutional rule to Honduras,» State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said. After meeting with Clinton, Zelaya welcomed the move. «It is gratifying that the United States has taken a strong position against the coup,» he told The Associated Press in a brief interview. Zelaya said more pressure may be necessary. The San Jose accord, brokered by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, aims to return Zelaya to power with limited authority until elections now set for November. But Micheletti has refused to accept it, prompting Clinton's decision to cut aid. -- SPA
