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Confidante: Honduran leader open to Zelaya return
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-07-31 13:47

Micheletti wants an agreement that will respect "the dignity of Hondurans who repudiate the return of Mr. Zelaya, giving them guarantees that if Mr. Zelaya returns to the presidency it will not be an obstacle, an impediment to the democratic, electoral process," the ex-official said.

Confidante: Honduran leader open to Zelaya return
Supporters of Honduras' ousted President Manuel Zelaya are arrested during a protest in Tegucigalpa July 30, 2009. [Agencies]

In a statement earlier Thursday, Micheletti also said the proposed compromise should be strengthened to "ensure that Zelaya abides by the constitution and allows the election of a new president in the November elections."

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Juan Ferrera, coordinator of an umbrella group of pro-business civic groups, said there is strong opposition to Zelaya's return among more than 80 members, but that it still might be negotiable with certain guarantees - for one, that Zelaya does not seek re-election.

Zelaya, a wealthy rancher who veered the left in the middle of his presidency, denies seeking reforms to allow his re-election. But many Hondurans interpreted his call for a referendum for a constitutional assembly as a move toward perpetuating himself in power.

Meanwhile, thousands of Zelaya supporters clashed Thursday with police, who fired tear gas at a market in the Honduran capital, Tegucigalpa.

One protester suffered a gunshot wound in the head and was seriously hurt, police spokesman Daniel Molina said. He said it was not clear who fired the live ammunition.

Red Cross spokesman Domingo Flores said protesters attacked an ambulance and beat three Red Cross workers, accusing them of being coup supporters.

Zelaya left the Nicaraguan town of Ocotal, where he had settled his government-in-exile, to meet in the Nicaraguan capital with US Ambassador to Honduras Hugo Llorens, according to Kathleen Boyle, a spokeswoman for the US Embassy in Nicaragua. She had no information on the content of the discussions.

It was unclear whether Zelaya planned to return to Ocotal, where hundreds of his supporters are camped out in shelters.

On Wednesday, he warned that disgruntled military officers could rebel "at any moment" against the interim government and force his return. Zelaya said he has information that some soldiers and officers are unhappy with the leadership of military chief Gen. Romeo Vasquez.

"Have no doubt that at any moment, young military officers affected by the coup will tie up Romeo Vasquez Velasquez and force him to restore the constitutional order," Zelaya said.

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