Friday, 30 October 2009
Representatives of ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya and the country's de facto leader Roberto Micheletti agreed a deal that could pave the way for Zelaya's reinstatement, CNN reported on Friday.
"My government has decided to support a proposal that allows a vote in the National Congress," Micheletti was quoted be the TV channel as saying in a statement.
He added, though, that the Supreme Court would decide whether the ousted leader will be reinstated ahead of national elections next month, as the agreement contained no guarantee that Zelaya would return to power.
The refusal of the interim government to reinstate Zelaya had been the main sticking point between the two sides.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hailed the deal while she was on a diplomatic trip in Pakistan.
"I want to congratulate the people of Honduras as well as President Zelaya and Mr. Micheletti for reaching an historic agreement," she said in a State Department press release. "We're looking forward to the elections that will be held on November 29, and working with the people and government of Honduras to realize the full return of democracy and a better future for the Honduran people."
Many countries and international bodies had warned they would not recognize the results if the elections were held under the Micheletti presidency.
Micheletti has argued that Zelaya's removal was a constitutional transfer of power and not a coup.
Zelaya was bundled out of Honduras on June 28 by the military, acting on instructions from the Supreme Court and parliament, over efforts to seek an unconstitutional second presidential term. He was flown to Costa Rica, and his place was taken by Micheletti, the parliamentary speaker.
The ousted president secretly returned to the country on September 21 and took refuge in the Brazilian Embassy.
