Mediator Seeks Zelaya's Return to Honduras by Friday

By VOA News 23 July 2009

Ousted President Manuel Zelaya (file photo)

The chief mediator in the Honduras crisis talks is proposing that ousted President Manuel Zelaya return to the Central American nation as its leader by Friday.

Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, who has been trying to narrow the differences between Mr. Zelaya and the forces that ousted him nearly a month ago, said the president's return to Tegucigalpa would be one part of a new 11-point plan he has sent to both sides.

The interim government in Honduras, led by Roberto Micheletti, has previously rejected any possibility of Mr. Zelaya's return to power. However, news reports late Wednesday, by Reuters, indicate the caretaker administration will send the Arias proposal to Congress and the judiciary for review.

There was no immediate comment by Mr. Zelaya's representatives.

The Costa Rican president's announcement of a new plan for Honduras followed a breakdown in the talks on Sunday, but the rival parties had said they are willing to return to San Jose, Costa Rica for more talks.

The interim government is under intense international pressure to accept a deal that would allow Mr. Zelaya to return to power. He was forced out of office in a June 28 coup and is now in exile in Nicaragua.

The political deadlock has sparked demonstrations on both sides of the divide.

The caretaker administration previously rejected a seven-point Arias proposal that would have allowed Mr. Zelaya's return in a unity government. The interim leaders say Mr. Zelaya illegally tried to change the constitution to extend his term and has threatened to arrest him if he returns home.

No country has formally recognized the caretaker government, and many nations have been demanding Mr. Zelaya's reinstatement.

Mr. Zelaya tried to return July 5, but the Honduran military prevented his plane from landing. One person was killed in clashes between soldiers and Zelaya supporters.