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Honduras holds new crisis talks | Honduras holds new crisis talks |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Senior diplomats from across the Americas have begun talks in Honduras, in the latest attempt to resolve the political crisis. | Senior diplomats from across the Americas have begun talks in Honduras, in the latest attempt to resolve the political crisis. |
They are hoping to set up talks between interim leader Roberto Micheletti and deposed President Manuel Zelaya, who is in the Brazilian embassy. | They are hoping to set up talks between interim leader Roberto Micheletti and deposed President Manuel Zelaya, who is in the Brazilian embassy. |
Mr Zelaya is demanding he be reinstated to the presidency. | Mr Zelaya is demanding he be reinstated to the presidency. |
His opponents accuse him of illegally trying to extend his rule, an accusation he denies. | His opponents accuse him of illegally trying to extend his rule, an accusation he denies. |
Mr Zelaya has said that he will only meet Mr Micheletti if an agreement is made beforehand which allows him to return to power. | Mr Zelaya has said that he will only meet Mr Micheletti if an agreement is made beforehand which allows him to return to power. |
Mr Micheletti told the diplomats: "We have been fighting for many years for our constitution and we will keep fighting no matter what happens," according to the Associated Press news agency. | |
The high-powered diplomatic team includes foreign ministers and deputy foreign ministers from about 10 countries in the region, as well as Jose Insulza, chief of the Organisation of American States (OAS). | |
"Those who thought it was possible to depose a president and normalise life in the country before starting an election campaign should realise that this has not been possible," Mr Insulza said as talks began. | |
The interim government is under extreme pressure to ensure that elections in Honduras, scheduled for the end of November, are seen as valid. | The interim government is under extreme pressure to ensure that elections in Honduras, scheduled for the end of November, are seen as valid. |
Canada's minister for the Americas, Peter Kent, said: "I sense that everyone involved understands that we are nearly out of time and that this crisis has to be resolved now." | |
Emergency decree | |
Some of the ousted president's opponents in Honduras are coming round to the idea that allowing him to serve the three remaining months of his term might be a solution, and even a victory, for them, says the BBC's Central America correspondent Stephen Gibbs. | |
Military cordon around embassy Q&A: Honduran crisis | Military cordon around embassy Q&A: Honduran crisis |
They argue that the former cattle rancher would be seen as the lamest of lame duck presidents. | They argue that the former cattle rancher would be seen as the lamest of lame duck presidents. |
Mr Zelaya's supporters would view his return to power very differently, as a victory for democracy. | Mr Zelaya's supporters would view his return to power very differently, as a victory for democracy. |
But, our correspondent says, finding a solution where both sides can claim to have won is perhaps the only way to end this crisis. | But, our correspondent says, finding a solution where both sides can claim to have won is perhaps the only way to end this crisis. |
Earlier this week, Mr Micheletti lifted an emergency decree imposed after Mr Zelaya returned to the country. | Earlier this week, Mr Micheletti lifted an emergency decree imposed after Mr Zelaya returned to the country. |
The decree suspended some civil liberties and also shut down two media organisations loyal to the president. | The decree suspended some civil liberties and also shut down two media organisations loyal to the president. |
They say that seized equipment has not been returned and therefore they still cannot broadcast normally. | They say that seized equipment has not been returned and therefore they still cannot broadcast normally. |
The emergency decree was condemned internationally, and those supporting the ousted president had demanded that it be lifted before negotiations between Mr Zelaya and the interim leader could begin. | The emergency decree was condemned internationally, and those supporting the ousted president had demanded that it be lifted before negotiations between Mr Zelaya and the interim leader could begin. |
Mr Zelaya was sent into exile at the end of June after trying to hold a vote on whether a constitutional assembly should be set up to look at rewriting the constitution. | Mr Zelaya was sent into exile at the end of June after trying to hold a vote on whether a constitutional assembly should be set up to look at rewriting the constitution. |
His opponents said his actions were in violation of the constitution and aimed at removing the current one-term limit on presidents - a charge Mr Zelaya has denied. | His opponents said his actions were in violation of the constitution and aimed at removing the current one-term limit on presidents - a charge Mr Zelaya has denied. |
He returned covertly to Honduras on 21 September and took refuge in the Brazilian embassy. | He returned covertly to Honduras on 21 September and took refuge in the Brazilian embassy. |