July 19, 2009
Talks aimed at resolving the political crisis in Honduras resumed Sunday in Costa Rica, after negotiations ended late Saturday without an agreement.
Costa Rican President Oscar Arias is attempting to mediate a resolution to the dispute over the June 28 coup that toppled Honduran President Manuel Zelaya and sent him into exile. Mr. Arias acknowledged Saturday that little progress has been made so far.
Milton Jimenez (l), member of the delegation of ousted Honduras' President Manuel Zelaya, talks to Costa Rica's President Oscar Arias after negotiations San Jose, Costa Rica, 11 Jul 2009Mr. Arias has proposed the ousted leader return to power to lead a unity government, but both sides in the crisis have taken issue with the idea.
A spokesman for the government of interim President Roberto Micheletti said Saturday it would not allow Mr. Zelaya to return to power.
And a representative of Mr. Zelaya was quoted by the Reuters news agency as saying he will not take part in a reconciliation government that includes people involved in his ouster.
Costa Rican President Arias has proposed a seven-point plan that includes Mr. Zelaya's reinstatement, new presidential elections in October, and an amnesty for all parties involved in Mr. Zelaya's removal from power.
Ousted President Manuel Zelaya pauses during news conference in Managua, 17 Jul 2009Neither Mr. Zelaya nor Mr. Micheletti was present at Saturday's talks.
From Nicaragua, which lies between Honduras and Costa Rica on the Central American isthmus, Mr. Zelaya said Friday he intends to return to Tegucigalpa and resume his presidency, with or without any agreement at the U.S.-backed talks.
The deposed leader declined to say when or how he would return to Honduras, where the interim government says it will arrest him.
Honduran military leaders and Mr. Zelaya's opponents say he was ousted because he was trying to illegally change the constitution to extend his time in office.
Earlier this month Mr. Zelaya did attempt to return to Honduras, but his flight was blocked by the military. At least one person died in subsequent clashes.
Mr. Zelaya has told his supporters they have the right to begin an "insurrection" to force the caretaker government to return him to power.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
Source: Voice of America News
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