Honduras' interim President Roberto Micheletti at the presidential house in Tegucigalpa, 25 Aug 2009The interim president of Honduras says the United States has revokedhis visa in an attempt to help restore ousted President Manuel Zelaya.

InterimPresident Roberto Micheletti told Radio HRN, a Honduran radio station,Saturday he is not bothered by the decision, calling it an example ofthe pressure the U.S. is trying to exert on the country.

TheCentral American nation's current administration contends Mr. Zelayawas legally removed from office because he violated a Supreme Courtdecision ordering him to stop trying to change the constitution toensure his continued hold on power. But the U.S. State Department hassaid Mr. Zelaya's ouster was not legal.

The U.S. has alsocriticized the interim Honduran government for refusing to accept aCosta Rican-brokered plan that would reinstate Mr. Zelaya.

Earlierthis week the U.S. cut off $11 million in aid to Honduras for twotransportation projects. Another $4 million in aid for another roadproject is also being put on hold.

U.S. officials sayrestoration of any of the terminated aid funds will depend on Honduras'return to democratic, constitutional governance.

The interimgovernment has scheduled elections for November, but U.S. officials saythat, based on current conditions, Washington will not recognize theresults. The U.S. State Department says a vote in Honduras must beconducted in a free, fair and transparent manner.

Interim president Micheletti says the election will take place even if other countries do not recognize the result.


Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.