Interim Honduras leader hints early vote possible

By The Associated Press

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Honduras' interim leader said he was open to early elections if it resolves an impasse with the world community, as a top diplomat headed to the Central American nation to demand he restore the president ousted by a coup.

With time running out on a Saturday deadline by the Organization of American States to return President Manuel Zelaya to power or be suspended from the group, OAS chief Jose Miguel Insulza was to arrive in Honduras Friday to push for Zelaya's reinstatement.

Insulza said he will meet with leaders of Honduras' Supreme Court and Congress - institutions that approved Sunday's coup - "basically to clarify exactly what our position is."

But he has said he will not meet with members of Roberto Micheletti's military-backed government, to avoid legitimizing it.

Micheletti said Insulza would be welcome in Honduras, and "If he wants to talk with me, I'll receive him gladly."

Asked if he would be willing to move up presidential elections from their scheduled date of Nov. 29, Micheletti said the idea was acceptable to him as long as it is done within the framework of the law.

Read tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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