Saturday, October 31, 2009

Honduras Rivals Resolve Deadlock

The de facto Honduran government has agreed to a deal that may allow ousted President Manuel Zelaya to return to power ahead of elections next month. Under the deal, the Supreme Court must authorize the Congress to vote on whether to allow Mr. Zelaya to return to power and serve the remaining three months of his term. It also calls for a commission to investigate the events surrounding Mr. Zelaya's removal from office.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-10-30-voa7.cfm

Roberto Micheletti said the agreement would create a power-sharing government and require both sides to recognise the result of November's presidential poll. The opponents had earlier been told by US Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon that they had to reach an accord in order to ensure international support for the election on 29 November. Mr Zelaya described the accord as a "triumph for Honduran democracy", and said he was "optimistic" of returning to power.

Other writings on this subject might be interesting as well. There is a good Peace Corps blog by Barbara Joe http://honduraspeacecorps.blogspot.com/2009_10_01_archive.html


Left: 10-29-09 Zelaya & US Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon

Right: Interim President Roberto Micheletti delivering speech on 10-29-09

AP Photos