Nicaragua police evacuate US ambassador to safety from protests

[Judi Lynn]

Nicaragua police evacuate US ambassador to safety from protests
Posted : Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:46:37 GMT

Managua/Washington - The US ambassador to Nicaragua was evacuated by police Friday from a university in the capital city after demonstrators threw fireworks at him over remarks he made about the government. The ambassador, Robert Callahan, took refuge in a classroom at the Central American University (UCA, a Jesuit institution,) until he was removed to safety. He had been attending an intercultural event with other ambassadors.

Local television showed images of a nervous-looking Callahan surrounded by US embassy security officials and the anti-riot squad of the Nicaraguan police.

On Thursday, hundreds of supporters of the government of President Daniel Ortega demonstrated in front of the US embassy, where they demanded Callahan's expulsion from the country.

Callahan provoked anger last week when he criticized a Supreme Court decision that removes term limits and allows Ortega to run for a second term.

In Washington, Nicaragua protested before the Organization of American States that Callahan had interfered in the internal affairs of the Central American country with his comments.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/292631,nicaragua-police-evacuate-us-ambassador-to-safety-from-protests.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~http://axisoflogic.com.nyud.net:8090/artman/uploads/1/robert-callahan198.JPG http://www.friendsofericvolz.com.nyud.net:8090/images/calahan.jpg http://www.lavozdenicaragua.com.nyud.net:8090/Voice_of_Nicaragua/wpe39951.jpg

Ambassador Robert Callahan

Agence France-Presse:

Nicaraguans Protest Remarks by U.S. Envoy

MANAGUA, Nicaragua — Thousands of Nicaraguans pelted the United States Embassy here with rocks and homemade explosives on Thursday, demanding that the ambassador be expelled for criticizing a ruling that allows President Daniel Ortega to seek re-election.

Mr. Ortega’s administration issued a statement calling the comments by the ambassador, Robert J. Callahan, an “inadmissible” interference in Nicaragua’s internal affairs, but he stopped short of asking for the ambassador’s removal.

Mr. Callahan had commented on the Oct. 19 ruling by the Supreme Court, which deemed “unenforceable” a constitutional amendment banning a president from seeking re-election to a second consecutive term in office.

The court, whose 16 members are all supporters of Mr. Ortega, ruled that he did not have to call a referendum to allow him to run for re-election in 2011. The United States called the court’s decision one more of Nicaragua’s “questionable and irregular governmental actions.”

Mr. Callahan raised more resentment here when he told a group of businessmen on Wednesday that the court had acted improperly, with unusual speed, in secret, with judges “from just one political movement, and with no public discussion.

“Get out! Get out!” thousands of demonstrators shouted on Thursday outside the United States diplomatic mission. According to witnesses, some protesters used handmade mortar launchers to fire explosives at the 62-acre embassy complex, which opened two years ago.

Despite efforts by the riot police to disperse the protesters with tear gas, many were able to smash lights and security cameras and mar the building with scratches and “Yankees go home” graffiti.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/30/world/americas/30WebNicaragua.html

[roody]

1. The people are sick of US bullshit!

[EFerrari]

2. Your side LOST, Callahan.

I hope Ortega kicks him out.