Honduran military chief predicts end of political crisis (Roundup)

Tegucigalpa/New York - The chief of Honduras' Armed Forces, General Romeo Vasquez Velasquez, said Tuesday that the end of the Central American country's political crisis is near. Vasquez Velasquez - whose troops ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya on June 28, arrested him, sent him into exile and twice prevented his return - told Honduran television that the country is 'quickly' approaching a solution. The Honduran Roman Catholic Church and the main candidates in the presidential election scheduled for November 29 - regarded as illegitimate by the international community - are promoting a dialogue between Zelaya and Roberto Micheletti, who was designated to head the government set up after the coup. Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, who has been acting as a mediator in the Honduran crisis, told Colombian media that there were no guarantees to holding the election in the face of restrictions on personal liberty in Honduras. 'You have to ask for permission from the Army and the police to be able to hold a political rally, and that creates an absolutely illogical atmosphere to carry out an electoral campaign,' Arias said. While he acknowledged the importance of the vote to 'turn over the page,' he said that in order to be relevant the election has 'to take place in an atmosphere of normality and to be transparent and to be able to have international observers.' Zelaya late Monday issued a plea for help to the United Nations General Assembly, saying his country has turned into a dictatorship. Patricia Rodas, who served as foreign minister in Zelaya's government, took the floor and, holding her mobile phone to the microphone, provided Zelaya with an opportunity to address the international community. 'Honduras is subjected to fascist rule which is suppressing the rights of the people,' Zelaya said from the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa where he has taken refuge. The ousted president called on the UN to help to 'reverse this coup d'etat.' UN General Assembly President Ali Treki said no state should recognize any Honduran government other than that of Zelaya's, calling for the restoration of constitutional order and for respect for the Brazilian embassy. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Tuesday that Honduras' harassment of Brazilian embassy staff in Tegucigalpa is against international law. 'Threats on the embassy of Brazil are unacceptable,' Ban said in reaction to increased tensions in Honduras after the government there declared a state of emergency. 'International law is clear: Sovereign immunity cannot be violated,' he said. 'Threats to the embassy staff and premises are intolerable. The UN Security Council has condemned such acts of intimidation. I do as well, in the strongest terms.' Brazil said Monday that Zelaya will be able to stay inside its embassy compound in Tegucigalpa as long as necessary. Honduras' de facto government on Saturday gave Brazil a 10-day deadline to hand Zelaya over or grant him asylum.