Honduras Rivals Sign Accord
To End Political Crisis
The
United States has welcomed a deal between rivals in Honduras that opens the door
for the return to power of President Manuel Zelaya, toppled in a military coup
four months ago.
The de facto government accepted a U.S.-driven deal, which followed renewed
pressure from senior U.S. officials who travelled to Honduras this week for a
last-ditch effort to end a crisis that has put a lot of pressure on U.S.
President Barack Obama’s foreign policy.
’’ It is a triumph for Honduran democracy, this is a first step. My
reinstatement is imminent, I'm optimistic,’’ Zelaya said after the rival sides
agreed to a deal that he said should see him restored to office in the coming
days.
Congress still needs to approve his return and it originally backed the coup
against him but Zelaya said he did not expect any new setbacks.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised the deal as a victory for
democracy in Latin America.
In her words, ’’ this is a big step forward for the Inter-American system and
its commitment to democracy.’’ She said in Islamabad.
Zelaya was toppled and sent into exile on June 28 but crept back into Honduras
last month and has since been holed up in the Brazilian embassy with Honduran
troops surrounding the building and his rivals demanding his arrest and trial.
Turn of events
De facto leader, Roberto Micheletti, who took over the country within hours of
Zelaya's ouster, had repeatedly refused to step aside to let the leftist return,
but he softened his position on Thursday, leading to the deal.
If approved by Congress, Zelaya would be able to finish out his presidential
term, which ends in January. It was not clear what would happen to other
elements of the agreement if Congress votes against Zelaya's restoration.
Micheletti said the deal will create a truth commission to investigate the
events of the last few months, and would ask foreign governments to reverse
punitive measures like suspending aid and cancelling the travel visas of
prominent figures involved in the coup and the de facto government.
The United States, the European Union and Latin American leaders had all
insisted Zelaya be allowed to finish his term and they threatened not to
recognise the winner of the November election unless democracy was first
restored.
The coffee-producing Central American country has been diplomatically isolated
since Zelaya was rousted at dawn by soldiers on June 28 and flown to exile on a
military plane.
Zelaya had angered many in Honduras by becoming an ally of socialist Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez. Critics also alleged he was seeking backing to extend
presidential term limits, a claim he denies.
REUTERS/Yinka
