Days after he applauded an agreement between his camp and Robert Micheletti's de facto government as a "triumph" for democracy, Manuel Zelaya is finding that the deal has left him no guarantees.

Washington has also praised the deal as a way to end the deadlock since a June 28 coup, but the accord puts Zelaya's return in the hands of the Honduran Congress, which is stalling on the issue.

The U.S. has stopped pushing for Zelaya’s reinstatement as a factor vital to ending Central America's worst political crisis in two decades.

Zelaya has spooked conservatives by growing close to socialist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

But he claims the pact paved the way for his return to power.

The language of the accord, however, leaves it up to Congress to decide if and when he will be allowed to return.

Lawmakers declined to call a special session to debate the issue, showing they are in no hurry to bring Zelaya back.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Tom Shannon stated on Tuesday that international recognition of Honduras' Nov. 29 presidential vote does not hinge on Zelaya returning to power.

Zelaya promptly demanded the United States clarify its position, saying it was failing to respect the accords if it "recognizes the elections without reversing the coup.

The Organization of American States (OAS) has backed the accord but is not publicly pushing for Zelaya's restitution.

[Hilda Solis, U.S. Labor Secretary]:
"The accord provides for a government of national unity and reconciliation and it will be established by November the 5th. This is a milestone that must be met. And I would like to personally say I was pleased to have met Mr. Zelaya and Mr. Michelettti, in which Mr. Micheletti expressed that he was willing to move forward both parties and Mr. Micheletti also made clear that he was prepared to step aside."

Solis was in the Honduran capital Tegucigalpa on Wednesday with an OAS commission to verify compliance with the accords.

When asked about Zelaya's restitution, Solis said: "Everything is going to take time."

The United States, Europe and multilateral groups have cut aid key to Honduras, an impoverished exporter of coffee and textiles.

Political analysts say most lawmakers oppose a Zelaya return and are convinced that if they stall until the November election, the world will recognize a new Honduran leader.

That, they say, will in turn result in a lifting of measures imposed to punish the country over the coup.