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Honduran leader, Zelaya inch toward crisis talks
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-10-04 16:12
Unity Government Talks would focus on the San Jose agreement, a document drawn up by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, which calls for Zelaya's restoration, a form of political amnesty and a unity government until the scheduled Nov. 29 elections. Zelaya's term had been set to end in January. "We are hoping for assurances we can resolve this problem through dialogue," Micheletti said on Friday. "We are talking with different sectors ... with Zelaya's people and others."
"If the regime accepts this agenda then we will too and we can sit down immediately for dialogue on Monday or Tuesday," said close Zelaya ally Carlos Reina, who is inside the embassy with the deposed president. The Honduran standoff is US President Barack Obama's first key test in Latin America after he promised a new engagement with a region. US officials have pressed for Zelaya's restoration, but criticized his surprise return. Washington has put pressure on Micheletti's supporters by cutting aid and revoking visas but shied away from tougher measures such as trade sanctions. But Micheletti, a veteran politician in Central America's No. 2 coffee grower, has resisted pressure from Washington and from some of his own political backers. The de facto government says Zelaya was constitutionally ousted and cannot return.
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