OAS chief arrives in Honduras

Jul 3, 2009, 20:58 GMT

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.'