As talks resume, optimism in coup-torn Honduras

By JUAN ZAMORANO

The Associated Press

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Honduras' opposing political factions resumed talks Thursday and expressed hope that a deal could be reached soon to end the power crisis that has paralyzed the country since a coup four months ago.

The two sides returned to the negotiating table a day after visiting U.S. diplomats urged both factions to be more flexible and find a solution before previously scheduled presidential elections looming in November.

The international community has threatened to not recognize the vote if deposed President Manuel Zelaya is not reinstated.

Rodil Rivera, a Zelaya representative, said Thursday an agreement could be signed calling for the Honduran Congress to decide whether to restore Zelaya — the central point to the standoff.

The interim government of Roberto Micheletti also expressed hope that an accord could be near.

"Today will be a jubilant day for Hondurans because we will fix everything without looking at the past, only looking ahead," Micheletti negotiator Vilma Morales said before heading into the talks Thursday. "We are pleased Zelaya has agreed to (resume) the talks."

Tom Shannon, U.S. assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere Affairs, arrived with a delegation Wednesday to push the two sides toward a solution.

Shannon said Thursday the envoys were extending their visit and expected an agreement would be reached before they leave. The delegation, which includes Shannon's department's No. 2, Craig Kelly, and Dan Restrepo, President Barack Obama's point man on Latin America to the National Security Council — attended the talks as observers.

Meanwhile, police fired tear gas to disperse a march of about 1,000 Zelaya supporters as they neared the hotel where the talks were taking place.

The international community wants Zelaya to be reinstated. But so far, Micheletti's government has refused to allow that and said the Nov. 29 election could resolve the crisis by electing a new leader.

Shannon said that as long as the two sides can agree to a deal, the election will be recognized. He refused to say whether that means an agreement that stops short of returning Zelaya to the presidency before the election could be acceptable.

"In our view, an agreement within the national dialogue opens a large space for members of the international community to assist Honduras in this election process, to observe the elections and to have a process that is peaceful and which produces a leadership that is widely recognized throughout the hemisphere as legitimate," Shannon said. "This will be important as a way of creating pathway for Honduras to reintegrate itself into the inter-American community."

Despite international condemnation, Micheletti's government has argued that Zelaya's removal from office was legal because he defied a Supreme Court order to cancel a referendum aimed at rewriting the constitution.

Zelaya's opponents accuse him of attempting to end a ban on presidential term limits — something the leftist leader denies.

Zelaya, who was flown out of the country by soldiers on June 28, slipped back in Sept. 21 and took shelter at the Brazilian Embassy in Tegucigalpa.

Honduras' interim government filed a complaint Thursday at the U.N.'s highest court accusing Brazil of meddling in internal Honduran affairs by letting Zelaya stay at the diplomatic mission. Micheletti's administration asked the International Court of Justice to order Brazil to stop granting the leader refuge there.

The court declined to comment on whether it would hear the case.

In Brazil, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said the government is evaluating the case but does not think it will succeed because it was filed by an "illegitimate administration." She spoke on condition of anonymity, in keeping with department policy.

Brazil supports Zelaya's fight to return to power and has not pressured him or his supporters to leave. Micheletti's government vows to arrest him if he does leave the diplomatic compound.

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Associated Press writers Matt Lee in Washington and Marco Sibaja in Brasilia, Brazil, contributed to this report.

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October 29, 2009 04:11 PM EDT

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