OAS chief deplores failure of Honduras deal

Nov 6, 2009, 20:44 GMT

Washington - Jose Miguel Insulza, secretary-general of the Organization of American States (OAS), Friday deplored the 'interruption' of the deal to solve the crisis in Honduras.

Insulza demanded respect, without 'subterfuges,' for a deal that he stressed should lead to the reinstatement of ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya.

   'The measures approved in the deal are clear and were signed at the free will of the parties. I hope that, without further subterfuges, they are respected to reestablish democracy, institutional legitimacy and coexistence between Hondurans,' Insulza said in a statement.

He called on both Zelaya and de facto Honduran leader Roberto Micheletti to pursue further talks and to 'come to an agreement' on the composition of the government of national unity that the now- stalled deal provides for.

Insulza stressed that the new government should 'naturally' be led by 'the person who legitimately holds the position of president,' referring to Zelaya.

Zelaya Friday said he regards the deal to end the political crisis in Honduras as having failed.

   The deal - brokered by the United States and the OAS and signed last week - called for the creation of a government of national unity and reconciliation by Thursday, and gave the Honduran Congress the final say on whether or not Zelaya was to be reinstated.

   Zelaya - who was ousted in a coup on June 28 - interpreted that to mean that he would lead the new government, and that Congress should therefore reinstate him by Thursday.

Congress was still to vote on whether Zelaya should be reinstated.