Roberto Micheletti

"I plan to be absent from my public duties for a period that could begin on November 25 and end on December 2," Roberto Micheletti, the de factor leader, said in a televised address on Thursday. "The goal of this measure is for all Hondurans to concentrate on the electoral process and not on the political crisis."

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"The United States weakened in the face of the dictator," Zelaya said, referring to interim President Roberto Micheletti. But Zelaya also said "the nations of the world, including the United States itself, what they really want is reinstatement and they have condemned the coup."

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The interim leader's negotiator, Vilma Morales, said Kelly told Micheletti that "the important thing for the government of the United States and the international community is for things to continue the framework of the agreement."

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The newly arrived U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Craig Kelly, who helped broker the pact two weeks ago, "is seeking to resolve the problems that have risen in the dialogue to bring peace to the country," said Rene Zepeda, a spokesman for the interim government. Kelly talked first with Micheletti. The interim leader's negotiator, Vilma Morales, said Kelly told Micheletti that "the important thing for the government of the United States and the international community is for things to continue the framework of the agreement."

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"Micheletti and Zelaya made a pact, and as long as that pact is carried out the world has to recognize the elections as valid," he says. "So at this point, what does it matter which of them is in office when the election is held?"

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"With this measure I aim to concentrate all the attention of Honduran people on the electoral process and not on the political crisis," Micheletti said. Zelaya, in comments to Venezuela's Telesur TV channel, immediately rejected the move as a "crude maneuver" that implicitly recognizes that Michelettis presence in office "stains the electoral process."

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"I ask (Zelaya) with all my heart to try to avoid a single drop of blood being spilled," said Micheletti.

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"The only way President Zelaya can return is if he submits himself to the justice system," Micheletti said.

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"External forces are planning to boycott the electoral process," Micheletti said, noting the military was investigating reports that Venezuela and Nicaragua intended to "hinder" the elections. Supreme Electoral Tribunal chief Enrique Ortez told Honduran television that "the electoral process will be carried out as normal, with the required security measures."

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"Everybody, with the exception of Mr. Zelaya, recommended Hondurans to lead the institutions of our country as part of the new government," Micheletti said. He said the unity government "is representative of a large ideological and political spectrum in our country and complies strictly with the agreement"

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