Honduran talks fail to resume over reinstating Zelaya

Honduras' ousted President Manuel Zelaya (R) talks with secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS) Jose Miguel Insulza inside the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Oct. 7, 2009. (Xinhua/ File Photo)
Talks to seek a solution to the post-coup crisis in Honduras failed to move ahead on Sunday after coming into a halt on Friday.

"No meetings are planned with our counterparts for the moment," said Victor Meza, who heads the negotiating team of ousted president Manuel Zelaya.

Negotiators for Zelaya and interim President Roberto Micheletti had appeared close to a deal earlier this week but failed after the Micheletti side spurned a proposal to allow legislators to vote on whether Zelaya could return to power.

They offered a counterproposal calling for the Supreme Court to decide on the matter, an idea immediately rejected by Zelaya.

Meza said his negotiating team would not meet the other side until they put forward what he called "a serious proposal, worthy of round table talks."

Zelaya's foreign minister, Patricia Rodas, told a meeting in Bolivia that the talks had collapsed because of Micheletti's refusal to accept Zelaya's return to power.

However, Zelaya said he would give negotiators until Monday to break the impasse.

"The dialogue is in a moment of suspense ... until the other side adopts a reasonable stance," Zelaya said.

"Although we have not agreed on any point, we are happy to be part of this dialogue," said Martha Lorena Alvarado, deputy foreign minister of the post-coup government.

She described the dialogue as positive, saying they would continue the negotiation on seeking a solution to the crisis.

The latest round of talks began last week when diplomats from mediating countries flew to Honduras and made clear that Zelaya's reinstatement was the only way for the Central American country to regain international recognition.

Source: Xinhua