COSTA RICA/HONDURAS: Two sides in Honduran political crisis head into make-or-break mediation talks in San jose
Record ID:
1533592
COSTA RICA/HONDURAS: Two sides in Honduran political crisis head into make-or-break mediation talks in San jose
- Title: COSTA RICA/HONDURAS: Two sides in Honduran political crisis head into make-or-break mediation talks in San jose
- Date: 18th July 2009
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) UNIDENTIFIED RESIDENT SAYING: "They should come to an agreement and that 'Mel' (Zelaya) not come back because the situation for the Republic of Honduras will really get ugly."
- Embargoed: 3rd August 2009 02:17
- Keywords:
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVA4ORK8I6JH216W6QRQPKCHELOF
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Costa Rican President Oscar Arias begins the second round of talks between delegations representing ousted Honduran president Manuel Zelaya, toppled in a June 28 coup, and the interim government led by Roberto Micheletti, who was installed by Honduras' Congress.
The two sides in the Honduran political crisis headed into make-or-break mediation talks on Saturday (July 18), which deposed President Manuel Zelaya has called the last chance for reaching a deal to reinstate him.
Costa Rica's Nobel Peace Prize-winning president, Oscar Arias, is trying to broker a compromise between Zelaya and interim president Roberto Micheletti, the former speaker of Congress who replaced him in a June 28 military coup.
Arias faces a tough task as both sides appeared entrenched in their positions.
"We have come together to throw the nets of dialogue to the sea, which even in the storm produce a miraculous harvest," he said at the outset of the days negotiations. "Be strong so that the Honduran people regain their faith in their democratic destiny."
Arias said he will propose the creation of a coalition government to break the impasse. He will also suggest an amnesty for any alleged political crimes as a step toward a truce. It was not clear whether he had set a deadline for an agreement.
Failure to find a breakthrough agreement could potentially lead to more confrontation, such as an escalation of street protests in Honduras or violence upon Zelaya's return.
Zelaya supporters gathered outside the place the negotiations are taking place making their feeling known and what they want to happen next.
"We demand that Mr. Manuel Zelaya be reinstated as the only constitutional President of Honduras," shouted one supporter.
The coup triggered the worst political crisis in Central America since the Cold War and poses a challenge for President Barack Obama as he tries to improve U.S. relations with Latin America.
Zelaya raised the stakes for the meeting, to be held at Arias' home in San Jose, by saying he would consider the mediation a failure unless Micheletti agreed to hand over the presidency.
Speaking from exile in Nicaragua on Friday, he vowed to return to Honduras "one way or another," regardless of the outcome of the negotiations. He will give diplomacy a chance, he said, but added that he was running out of patience.
His wife Xiomara Castro told Reuters he had set a Saturday deadline for declaring success or failure in the talks.
In Tegucigalpa the mood remains calm with both pro and con-Zelaya supporters want a peaceful resolution to the impasse.
"They should come to an agreement and that 'Mel' (Zelaya) not come back because the situation for the Republic of Honduras will really get ugly," said one Tegucigalpa resident.
"I hope God wants the authorities to come to an agreement for our country so that they can solve the problems," said another..
The first round of negotiations in Costa Rica on July 9 ended without progress.
Zelaya has widespread international backing. Arias, the Organization of American States and the U.N. General Assembly have all said that any solution to the crisis must include power being handed back to Zelaya.
But that is the one thing Micheletti has said is non-negotiable. Micheletti said he would consider stepping down or calling early elections, but on the condition Zelaya not be reinstated.
The military ousted Zelaya and whisked him out of the country on accusations of violating the constitution by trying to extend presidential term limits. Micheletti has said Zelaya will be arrested and face charges if he returns. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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