Ousted Honduran president signs pact with govt

Representatives of ousted president Manuel Zelaya finally reached an agreement with the interim government that could help end the dispute over Honduras’ June 28 coup, and possibly pave the way for Mr Zelaya’s reinstatement.

The Organisation of American States (OAS) announced the deal late last night but did not release a text of the accord, in which Mr Zelaya appears to have agreed to throw his fate into the hands of a congress that has largely supported interim President Roberto Micheletti.

“We are optimistic because Hondurans can reach agreements that are fulfilled,” Mr Zelaya told Radio Globo, an opposition station.

“This signifies my return to power in the coming days, and peace for Honduras.”

The agreement, if it holds, could represent a much-needed foreign policy victory for the United States, which dispatched a senior team of diplomats to coax both sides back to the table.

Speaking to reporters in Islamabad, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called it “an historic agreement,” noting “this is a big step forward for the inter-American system.”

The agreement appears to soften Mr Micheletti’s previous stance that the Supreme Court – which has already rejected Mr Zelaya’s reinstatement – decide the issue. Instead, the high court would make a recommendation, but the final decision would apparently be left to a vote in Congress.

The agreement would create a power-sharing government and bind both sides to recognise the November 29 presidential elections.

The international community had threatened to not recognise the vote if Mr Zelaya is not reinstated, but yesterday OAS Political Affairs Secretary Victor Rico told reporters that “the United States and the OAS will accompany Honduras in the elections” as a result of the accord.

Mrs Clinton said the elections would go forward and the US will work with Honduras to ensure the election is legitimate.

The deal was greeted by all sides as a victory in the long-running dispute that has polarised the country and mired it in diplomatic isolation.