TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS, AND MEXICO CITY — Representatives of Honduran President Manuel Zelaya and the de facto leaders who deposed him in a coup in June came together Wednesday in an effort to end the political crisis that has divided and isolated the impoverished nation.
With foreign ministers and diplomats on hand to nudge the deeply polarized parties, a tense round of negotiations got underway, aimed at rescuing Honduras from what one participant called "darkness, infinite chaos, fear and uncertainty."
"We are here to find concrete solutions to a situation that cannot go on," said Jose Miguel Insulza, secretary-general of the Organization of American States, which is overseeing the talks.
Progress was expected to be slow. The two principal protagonists, Zelaya and the man who replaced him, Roberto Micheletti, will not meet, and it was not clear that either was willing to make concessions, most notably on the most contentious point: Zelaya's return to power.
The negotiations Wednesday were the first since mid-July, when Costa Rican President Oscar Arias brokered a 12-point plan that was ultimately rejected by Micheletti.
Diplomats said they've detected new impetus that could lead to a breakthrough. Honduras is suffering international sanctions as punishment for the coup, including the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in desperately needed aid and trade. Washington also yanked the U.S. visas of Micheletti and other top officials and businessmen.
And many Hondurans, including those who backed the coup, are increasingly fearful that continued political upheaval will threaten elections scheduled for Nov. 29.
"The hopes of Honduras, and the world, depend on to what extent both Zelaya and Micheletti . . . accept that the current situation is untenable," the Honduran daily El Heraldo said in an editorial Wednesday. The international community backs Zelaya in his demand to be reinstated.
Under the plan drafted by Arias, who is also a Nobel peace laureate, Zelaya would assume the presidency with limited authority as part of a coalition government. His term ends in January.
Micheletti has steadfastly refused to accept the proposal to reinstate Zelaya. But some of Micheletti's allies have begun to waver.
U.S. Ambassador to Honduras Hugo Llorens held several secret meetings with top business and political figures to push for acceptance of Zelaya's return, according to participants.
