OAS chief deplores failure of Honduras deal (Roundup)

Nov 6, 2009, 22:08 GMT

Washington - The head of the Organization of American States (OAS) on Friday called on both sides of the dispute in Honduras to get serious about negotiations that should restore ousted President Manual Zelaya to power.

OAS Secretary-General Jose Miguel Insulza, deplored the 'interruption' in the negotiations to implement a deal reached last week.

'The measures approved in the deal are clear and were signed at the free will of the parties. I hope that ... they are respected to reestablish democracy, institutional legitimacy and coexistence between Hondurans,' Insulza said in a statement.

He called on 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 outlined in last week's agreement.

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 United States also criticized the parties for failing to meet their obligations.

'We urge both sides to act in the best interests of the Honduran people and return to the table immediately to reach agreement on the formation of a unity government,' State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said.

'We're disappointed that both sides are not following this very clear path, which has been laid out in this accord,' Kelly said.

   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.