The chance of a negotiated end to the Honduran crisis crept closer today as mediators set up talks between de facto leaders and ousted President Manuel Zelaya, trapped by soldiers inside Brazil's embassy.
Foreign ministers and diplomats from the Organization of American States will arrive later today in the poor coffee growing country to oversee a meeting between representatives of Mr Zelaya and Roberto Micheletti, the de facto leader who took power after a June 28th coup.
In a live television broadcast, Mr Micheletti said political amnesty and the division of power are on the table but did not raise Mr Zelaya's possible return to office as a solution to a crisis that has put soldiers armed with guns and clubs on the streets, echoing Central America's Cold War-era troubles.
The visit by foreign ministers from Mexico and Central America will be Mr Micheletti's first contact with high-level politicians on home turf since the putsch. Mr Zelaya says Mr Micheletti has agreed to dialogue only to gain legitimacy.
"At the bottom of this there is absolutely nothing more than bad intentions," the logging magnate told TV station Canal 11 by telephone from his base in the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa.
Taking a tough stance ahead of talks, he accused the OAS of being soft on his opponent who he says is playing for time to keep the de facto government alive longer.
Despite his doubts, negotiations are set for the afternoon between three of Mr Zelaya's envoys and Mr Micheletti's delegation.
Tensions flared when Mr Zelaya slipped back into Honduras two weeks ago.
He has been trapped since then by troops surrounding the Brazilian embassy building as Mr Micheletti has slapped emergency curbs on pro-Zelaya media and street protests.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva yesterday said Mr Micheletti should give up power to end the crisis.
A group of 12 Lenca Indians supporting Mr Zelaya sought asylum in the Guatemalan embassy yesterday, citing death threats and beatings from security forces.
Activists plan a series of anti-coup protests in the next 24 hours. Some 200 people holding candles and blowing whistles marched last night.
Reuters