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Honduras yields on OAS delegation | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
The interim government in Honduras now says that it is willing to accept mediation talks with a delegation from the Organisation of American States. | |
But it says it will only do so if the OAS Secretary-General, Jose Miguel Insulza, attends only as an observer. | |
It had earlier refused to accept the delegation because it said Mr Insulza lacked objectivity. | |
He has called for the reinstatement of President Manuel Zelaya, who was toppled in a military coup in June. | |
It's not known whether the OAS will accept the terms for the visit. | |
The meeting had been planned for Tuesday, but a new date has yet to be announced. | |
Mr Zelaya was sent into exile after a coup in June amid a power struggle over his plans for constitutional change. | Mr Zelaya was sent into exile after a coup in June amid a power struggle over his plans for constitutional change. |
His critics said the move was aimed at removing the current one-term limit on serving as president, and paving the way for his re-election. | His critics said the move was aimed at removing the current one-term limit on serving as president, and paving the way for his re-election. |
Following the army-led coup on 28 June, the speaker of Congress, Roberto Micheletti - constitutionally second in line to the presidency - was sworn in as interim leader. | Following the army-led coup on 28 June, the speaker of Congress, Roberto Micheletti - constitutionally second in line to the presidency - was sworn in as interim leader. |
The OAS has demanded Mr Zelaya's immediate reinstatement. | The OAS has demanded Mr Zelaya's immediate reinstatement. |
It suspended Honduras' membership after the interim government failed to abide by a deadline to restore Mr Zelaya to power. | It suspended Honduras' membership after the interim government failed to abide by a deadline to restore Mr Zelaya to power. |
'Damage to democracy' | 'Damage to democracy' |
Mr Insulza was to be accompanied on the visit to Tegucigalpa on Tuesday by the foreign ministers of Argentina, Canada, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. | Mr Insulza was to be accompanied on the visit to Tegucigalpa on Tuesday by the foreign ministers of Argentina, Canada, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. |
But on Sunday, the Honduran foreign ministry announced that it would turn back the group because of the presence of the OAS secretary-general. | But on Sunday, the Honduran foreign ministry announced that it would turn back the group because of the presence of the OAS secretary-general. |
It also said other unnamed countries it considered more sympathetic were not represented in the delegation. | It also said other unnamed countries it considered more sympathetic were not represented in the delegation. |
But later on Sunday evening, it relented and said that it would accept Mr Insulza, so long as he was only an observer. | |
The OAS hopes Mr Micheletti can be persuaded to accept a detailed plan proposed by the Costa Rican President, Oscar Arias. | The OAS hopes Mr Micheletti can be persuaded to accept a detailed plan proposed by the Costa Rican President, Oscar Arias. |
Under this, Mr Zelaya would return to serve out his presidency and a government of national reconciliation would be set up. There would be an amnesty for political crimes committed during the crisis, and presidential elections would be brought forward to 28 October. | Under this, Mr Zelaya would return to serve out his presidency and a government of national reconciliation would be set up. There would be an amnesty for political crimes committed during the crisis, and presidential elections would be brought forward to 28 October. |
But the interim government says his return to power is an impossibility. Mr Zelaya says it is "non-negotiable". | But the interim government says his return to power is an impossibility. Mr Zelaya says it is "non-negotiable". |
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