U.S. Rep. Roskam in Honduras on fact-finding mission

U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam was in Honduras Friday to meet with the torn nation's interim president as part of a Republican fact-finding mission that flew in the face of current U.S. foreign policy.

Roskam, as part of a contingent headed by South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint, met with interim President Roberto Micheletti. But President Barack Obama's administration is seeking to isolate Micheletti and other architects of the military coup that ousted the nation's president for allegedly trying to defy term limits.

The U.S. and European Union, among many nations around the world, have condemned the ouster of Honduras President Manuel Zelaya and suspended aid to the Central American country. Zelaya is now holed up at a Brazilian Embassy in Honduras and the Obama administration wants to see him reinstalled to finish off the remaining months in his term.

Some Republicans have blasted Obama's stance, saying that support for Zelaya could lead to an expansion of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's socialist programs in Latin America.

A spokesman for the U.S. State Department said "it is generally understood" the Obama administration would prefer that congressional members don't meet with Micheletti, particularly in a way that would show support.

"We prefer to show a united front on showing support for Zelaya," spokesman Fred Lash said, while adding that there are no specific rules barring the meeting or the trip.

Joy Olson, executive director of the Washington Office on Latin America, which promotes human rights and democracy, blasted the trip Friday.

"I think that this trip potentially will muddy the waters even more, and that would not be constructive," he told the Associated Press. "The danger of this visit is that those supporting the Micheletti government re-entrench."

DeMint has said he supporters Micheletti and efforts to hold an election on Nov. 29. Roskam couldn't be reached for comment and his spokesman declined to talk about the Wheaton Republican's position.

But it was clear from a news release issued by Roskam's office that he backs the elections Micheletti is pushing.

"I look forward to meeting with Honduran government officials about their continued efforts to ensure a free, fair, and uncompromised election this November," the news release reads.

The Obama administration's position is to not recognize those elections, set for Nov. 29.

Roskam spokesman Dan Conston said the West suburban lawmaker was asked to join the trip because of his interest in foreign trade. Roskam is not a member of any congressional foreign relations committee.

Another Illinois Republican, U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock of Peoria, is also on the trip.

Both are seen as rising stars in the GOP.

Congress has approved fact-finding trips previously to Honduras since Zelaya was ousted and there is no ban on such trips. The congressmen took the trip on a plane provided by the U.S. Defense Department, according to published reports.

Daily Herald wire services contributed to this report.