<!-- IMAGE -->Honduras's de facto leader and the country's ousted president will begin negotiations next week aimed at resolving the political crisis triggered by a coup in June.
A representative from the Organization of American States says the two are ready to open talks, although they will not necessarily meet with each other.
De facto president Robert Micheletti said Friday he had already spoken secretly with OAS Secretary-General Jose Miguel Insulza, as part of the process leading to negotiations.
An OAS advance mission is in Honduras preparing for the planned arrival Wednesday of Insulza and several OAS foreign ministers who are to help mediate between the two camps.
Four U.S. Republican lawmakers who oppose the Obama administration's efforts to isolate Honduras's de facto government and pressure it to return President Manuel Zelaya to power for the remainder of his term met Friday with acting President Roberto Micheletti.
Led by South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint, the conservative lawmakers have criticized Mr. Obama's support of Mr. Zelaya.
The U.S. and other nations have condemned Mr. Zelaya's overthrow in a June 28 coup. Washington also has revoked the visas of Honduran officials and cut aid to the Central American country.
The ousted president secretly returned to Honduras September 21. He is currently holed up in the Brazilian Embassy.
The de facto leaders say he was forced out of office because he was trying to illegally change the constitution to extend his term in office.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
A representative from the Organization of American States says the two are ready to open talks, although they will not necessarily meet with each other.
De facto president Robert Micheletti said Friday he had already spoken secretly with OAS Secretary-General Jose Miguel Insulza, as part of the process leading to negotiations.
An OAS advance mission is in Honduras preparing for the planned arrival Wednesday of Insulza and several OAS foreign ministers who are to help mediate between the two camps.
Four U.S. Republican lawmakers who oppose the Obama administration's efforts to isolate Honduras's de facto government and pressure it to return President Manuel Zelaya to power for the remainder of his term met Friday with acting President Roberto Micheletti.
Led by South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint, the conservative lawmakers have criticized Mr. Obama's support of Mr. Zelaya.
The U.S. and other nations have condemned Mr. Zelaya's overthrow in a June 28 coup. Washington also has revoked the visas of Honduran officials and cut aid to the Central American country.
The ousted president secretly returned to Honduras September 21. He is currently holed up in the Brazilian Embassy.
The de facto leaders say he was forced out of office because he was trying to illegally change the constitution to extend his term in office.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
