Talks over Honduras crisis crumble
Honduran de facto leader Roberto Micheletti says he will install a national unity government without the participation of ousted President Manuel Zelaya.
Script:
A deal to end the four-month political crisis in Honduras
collapses amid rows and disagreements.
The June coup saw President Manuel Zelaya ousted from power and
forced out of his own country, causing widespread unrest.
Talks had been underway, mediated by the United States, to
broker a power-sharing deal between Zelaya and de facto leader
Roberto Micheletti ahead of presidential elections later this
month.
But those talks broke down as the rivals clashed over who would
lead a so-called unity cabinet until a new president takes office
in January.
Now Micheletti is looking to form a new government without
Zelaya - a move the President's spokesman says goes against the
wishes of Honduran people.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ARTURO REINA, DELEGATE FOR HONDURAN
PRESIDENT MANUEL ZELAYA, SAYING:
"We don't think the de facto government ever had good faith
intentions, just the desire to prolong its stay despite the
Honduran people's will."
Zelaya was forced out of the country by the military in June
after a secret Supreme Court ruling said he had violated the
constitution by pushing for a referendum to change term limits on
the presidency.
Congress quickly installed Micheletti as interim leader but his
government has failed to win recognition abroad.
Zelaya has been back in the country since September but is holed
up in the Brazilian embassy.
The latest stand-off means the country remains isolated
diplomatically and cut off from international aid leaving the
November 29 elections in jeapordy.
Neena Dhaun, Reuters.