TEGUCIGALPA -- After Honduras' congress voted overwhelmingly Wednesday night against restoring ousted President Manuel Zelaya to power, the fate of the deposed leader remained in question Thursday. U.S. State Department officials said Thursday they would continue to work with Honduras, but insisted they continue to recognize Zelaya as the sole legitimate president.
Confined to the Brazilian Embassy, Zelaya listened to the congressional proceedings via radio.
``The lawmakers at the service of the dominant classes ratified the coup d'etat in Honduras,'' Zelaya said in a statement to reporters after the vote. ``They have condemned Honduras to exist outside the rule of law.''
In a grueling, eight-hour session, Honduras' congress voted 111-14 to not restore Zelaya's presidential powers. The vote mirrored that of one taken in June supporting Zelaya's removal on charges of treason and abuse of power.
While Zelaya plans his next move, de facto President Roberto Micheletti issued a statement Thursday celebrating the vote as the ``final point'' to ending the five months of political turmoil.
``The world should listen to the collective voice of the Honduran people and not just the desperate shoutings of a man only concerned with his personal interests,'' Micheletti said.
Micheletti also called on the Organization of American States to normalize its relations with Honduras, after it suspended the impoverished nation following Zelaya's removal from power on June 28.
At a Thursday briefing with reporters, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Arturo Valenzuela said that while ``disappointed'' by the vote, the United States would continue to work with Honduras.
``Important work remains to be conducted to promote national reconciliations, as the status quo remains unacceptable,'' Valenzuela said. Valenzuela said the next steps include the formation of a truth commission and a national unity government.
| A truth commission sounds like a wonderous idea, except whose truth will it discover? The Hondurans already know the truth, and the OAS -- and Bambi -- don't want to hear it. |
Whether a unity government can be convened remains an open question, as Zelaya said he does not plan to participate in a U.S.-backed pact that both he and Micheletti agreed to in October.
| The new government takes office end of January. That's going to settle it once and for all. |
The accord called for both camps to appoint members to a unity government and for congress to schedule a vote for Zelaya's reinstatement. But, when congress delayed the date of the vote until after last Sunday's presidential elections, Zelaya said the spirit of the agreement had been violated and he pulled his support.
Zelaya has disputed reports that he will seek asylum in Brazil or Nicaragua. His term is set to expire Jan. 27 -- the day that recently elected President Porfirio ``Pepe'' Lobo is sworn into office. Lobo has said he will include Zelaya in plans for ``national dialogues.'' Valenzuela said the United States was ``encouraged'' by Lobo's strong calls for reconciliation.
| Sounds like Lobo was spitballing Mel. After January 27th Mel is just a private citizen. |
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