Zelaya's Hopes of Return Fade in Committee Vote By JOSé DE CóRDOBA
A Honduran legislative committee voted not to convene a special session of Congress to consider returning the country's ousted leader, in a move likely to dash chances of Manuel Zelaya's returning to power even temporarily under a deal brokered last week by the U.S.
On Tuesday, a committee of 13 legislators voted to not convene the special session, opting instead to wait until Congress receives nonbinding legal opinions on the issue from Honduras's Supreme Court, attorney general's office and other institutions. It set no deadline for when the reports had to be received.
The decision means a presidential election scheduled for Nov. 29 could take place before any vote on Mr. Zelaya.
Even if Mr. Zelaya pulls out of the U.S.-brokered deal, the interim government appears to have the upper hand. In announcing the deal, the U.S. made clear that it would respect any decision by the Honduran Congress, and would recognize the November elections even if Congress blocks Mr. Zelaya's return.
That may cause some friction with other countries in Latin America. Since the signing of the agreement, the Organization of American States and some Latin American countries have appeared to condition their support of the Honduran election on Mr. Zelaya's return to power.
Under terms of last week's deal, Honduras's interim government and Mr. Zelaya agreed to let Congress decide on Mr. Zelaya's return and set up a government of national unity. In return, the U.S. promised to renew suspended aid to Honduras and recognize the legitimacy of the Nov. 29 presidential poll. Mr. Zelaya isn't on the ballot.
While many interpreted the deal last week as a sign Mr. Zelaya would return to power, Honduran politicians appear in no mood to change their vote from June 28, when they overwhelmingly voted to replace the president. With the election little more than three weeks away, analysts say neither side wants to risk losing votes by reinstalling a controversial president.
"Zelaya is the kiss of death," says Miguel Angel Calix, a Honduran political analyst.
Honduras's rival political factions disagree on what the deal was meant to achieve. Mr. Zelaya says he will consider the deal broken if he isn't reinstated by Thursday. But the agreement itself offers no guarantee of reinstatement.
Write to José de Córdoba at jose.decordoba@wsj.com
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