Tegucigalpa, Honduras - Jose Miguel Insulza, the secretary-
general of the Organization of American States (OAS), arrived in
Tegucigalpa Friday to work toward a solution to the political crisis
after democratically-elected President Manuel Zelaya was ousted
Sunday.
Insulza arrived in a Brazilian Air Force plane and was led to an
undisclosed location to hold talks with several Honduran 'political
stakeholders,' Honduran radio station America reported.
The OAS announced Insulza's trip late Thursday. In a statement,
the organization said he would pursue 'diplomatic initiatives aimed
at restoring democracy' there.
During his stay in Tegucigalpa, Insulza would 'notify the Honduran
stakeholders' of the OAS' position on the crisis in the Central
American country. This includes a 72-hour ultimatum issued by the OAS
early Wednesday demanding the reinstatement of Zelaya, under threat
of Honduras' suspension from membership in the OAS.
Also Friday, hours before Insulza's arrival, tens of thousands of
people took to the streets of Tegucigalpa to demonstrate both for and
against Zelaya. Honduran police made an effort to prevent clashes
between both groups.
Roberto Micheletti - the former Congress speaker who was
designated president after Sunday's coup d'etat - said ahead of
Insulza's arrival that he would support early elections as a way out
of the crisis.
A presidential election was scheduled for November, and the
interim government headed by Micheletti has said they would stick to
that date.
Micheletti has stressed, however, that he would not accept the
reinstatement of Zelaya.
The ousted president has vowed to return to Honduras Saturday -
once the OAS ultimatum expires - while Micheletti has said that the
authorities would move to arrest Zelaya should he travel back to the
country.
Zelaya was arrested and exiled to Costa Rica Sunday in a coup
ordered by the country's Supreme Court, reportedly to stop him from
attempting to change the constitution and seek a second term.
Presidents Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner of Argentina and Rafael
Correa of Ecuador were planning to accompany Zelaya back to
Tegucigalpa.
Micheletti has expressed concern over the withdrawal of
ambassadors from many nations, including all members of the European
Union, but said that 'international backing will grow.'
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