In Honduras, talks are expected to continue today and through the weekend between representatives of the coup regime and the ousted President Manuel Zelaya. The negotiations resumed this week with the backing of a visiting delegation from the Organization of American States. Zelaya negotiator Juan Barahona said the coup regime continues to reject the basic demand of Zelaya’s return to office.

Juan Barahona: “The talks are at zero. We haven’t progressed since starting. The first point we are dealing with is the restitution of President Zelaya, and they reject this. If there is no progress made on this matter, what is the point of continuing with the following issues?”

The OAS delegation left Honduras on Thursday after claiming both sides had reached agreement on one quarter of the outstanding issues. In a statement, the OAS renewed its call for Zelaya’s return and urged the coup regime to lift a ban on two opposition media outlets. The OAS also called for an end to the siege of the Brazilian embassy, where Zelaya and a group of supporters have taken refuge since Zelaya’s dramatic return last month.