Pact to restore ousted Honduran leader in Congress

By ESTEBAN FELIX Associated Press Writer

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) - Lawmakers will wait until Tuesday to consider a U.S.-brokered agreement that could return deposed President Manuel Zelaya to power, despite diplomats' pleas to not delay an end to the country's four-month-old political crisis.

Monday is a holiday in Honduras, and many legislators are busy campaigning for Nov. 29 elections that will also elect a successor to Zelaya. If Congress approves the pact, it would win international recognition for the vote. Many countries have warned they would not accept it if the June coup is not undone.

Ramon Velasquez, the congressional secretary who is in charge of handling measures submitted said Saturday that consideration "will not be until Tuesday, because I'm in full swing campaigning for my re-election to Congress."

Legislators also suggested it would take time to debate. "It is important to give Congress space, without pressure, to be able to reach the best decision," said Congressman Juan Orlando Hernandez of the opposition National Party, which has 55 seats in the 128-seat body.

Zelaya's Liberal Party controls 65 seats. However, the party is split between those who support him and those who don't.

The legislature backed his removal, but congressional leaders have since said they won't stand in the way of an agreement that would end Honduras' diplomatic isolation and legitimize the presidential elections.

Diplomats urged the body not to delay.

"I am sure the members of Congress will fully realize the importance and political urgency of these matters, and I hope they will act as quickly as possible," said Organization of American States Political Affairs Secretary Victor Rico.

The top U.S. envoy for the Americas has told both sides time is running out.

Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Thomas Shannon said this week that "there was no more space for them to dither."

Zelaya, who was rousted from his bed by soldiers on June 28 and flown out of the country, has said he hopes to be back in office in about a week.

He has been inside the Brazilian Embassy since Sept. 21, when he made a surprise return to the Honduran capital.