US: Micheletti's temporary step down could open "political space"

Nov 20, 2009, 19:25 GMT

Washington - The United States sees the decision by Honduras' disputed de-facto leader to step down during elections as a 'positive step,' a senior US State Department official said Friday.

The official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity, also reaffirmed Washington's intention to support the November 29 elections, even if many of the countries in the hemisphere have declared they will not recognize the results.

On Thursday, de facto Honduran leader Roberto Micheletti said he would give up power temporarily, from Wednesday to December 2.

The US official noted that his possible return date, December 2, coincides with plans by the Honduran legislature to consider reinstitution of ousted President Manuel Zelaya, who has been holed up in the Brazilian embassy for weeks after his unceremonious ouster and exile in June.

The US official said that Micheletti's absence from power during the elections 'could change the dynamics' of the situation and represented a 'positive step that needs to be implemented.'

It had the 'potential to open up political space,' the official said.

The Organization of American States, including the US, have refused to recognize Micheletti as president.