Article published on the 2009-10-23 Latest update 2009-10-23 13:18 TU
Honduras' ousted president Manuel Zelaya walks inside Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa
(Photo: Reuters/Edgard Garrido)
Zelaya, who was deposed in a military coup on 28 June, had set a deadline of midnight Thursday for the de facto government led by Roberto Micheletti to accept his return to power. He said he would end negotiations if it was not met.
"We consider the dialogue has been exhausted, we cannot continue to give deadlines," said Mayra Mejia, a member of Zelaya's negotiating team.
On Thursday, Zelaya's chief negotiator Victor Meza issued the midnight deadline and called on Micheletti to take heed of international calls for Zelaya's reinstatement, including from the United States.
"We're not prepared to allow the putschist regime to use the talks as a tool to delay a solution, to postpone a way out of the crisis, to play for time. The dictatorship is stealing time from the Honduran democracy," Meza said.
The Michelleti government has consistently refused to entertain any deal that involves the return to power of Zelaya, the main sticking point in negotiations.
Zelaya’s term expires in January, when elections are due to be held. Under the existing constitution, Zelaya is not permitted to run again and his attempts to seek a constitutional referendum to abolish term limits contributed to the military coup that ousted him.
"This committee, having categorically rejected the 12 midnight ultimatum ... states that our answer or counteroffer will be presented tomorrow at 10:00am (1600 GMT) Friday," said Micheletti negotiator Vilma Morales.
Zelaya is living inside the Brazilian Embassy in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa since making a surprise return to the country in September.
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