Honduras Talks Fail To Reach Agreement

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Supporters of ousted President Manuel Zelaya paid tribute Saturday to a teenager killed during protests and expressed fear the interim government will drag out negotiations to resolve the crisis so it can remain in power through November elections.

But a delegate of de facto President Roberto Micheletti who participated in the talks in Costa Rica on Friday, said his side has not ruled out the possibility of early elections as a way out of the conflict.

The only consensus reached between representatives of Zelaya and Micheletti during a second round of negotiations on Friday was that they would meet again _ fueling concern the crisis could continue for months. No date was set for future negotiations.

Micheletti _ the congressional leader who was sworn in as president when the military escorted Zelaya out of the country on June 28 _ made no public statements Saturday.

Zelaya, who was in the Dominican Republic, flew to Washington, but declined to comment on his plans to reporters before boarding the plane.

But his wife, Xiomara Castro, who attended the demonstration in the capital, Tegucigalpa, said Zelaya "is very excited, confident" that he will return to power with the help of the Organization of American States, the United Nations and "especially the United States," which have all denounced his ouster.

Former Honduran Foreign Minister Carlos Lopez, of the Micheletti delegation, said his side has not ruled out holding early elections. Lopez said Friday's talks were a way for the two sides to approach each other and now "we have the opportunity to reflect."

Friday's meetings took place without Zelaya and Micheletti. Each leader met separately with chief mediator, Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, on Thursday but refused to talk together _ insisting that the other give up claims to lead the country.

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Arias vowed to name a date to resume the talks in coming days. A Costa Rican government spokesman, who was not authorized to give his name, said Saturday that Arias has been losing his voice and after seeing a doctor planned to spend a quiet weekend analyzing the situation.

Arias was diagnosed with a nonmalignant cyst on his vocal cords last year and advised not to speak for a month, but the spokesman said the president had no plans to postpone talks because of his condition.

But Zelaya's supporters at home fear the interim government may drag out the process as a way of wearing them down. They have held daily demonstrations in Tegucigalpa since his ouster.

Zelaya's wife was among about 1,000 people at a peaceful demonstration near the airport Saturday to honor Isis Murillo, 19, a protester from Zelaya's home state of Olancho who was shot by soldiers at the airport a week ago during Zelaya's unsuccessful attempt to return. Zelaya's plane had been blocked from landing by military vehicles parked on the runways.

"There are few possibilities for a way out," said Juan Barahona, a national leader of the protest movement. "What I see is that the coup perpetrators are interested in staying in power and wearing out the resistance movement."

President Barack Obama's administration, the U.N. and the OAS have demanded that Zelaya be returned to power so he can serve out a term that ends in January. No foreign government has recognized Micheletti.

U.S. officials have promoted the talks in Costa Rica's capital, hoping to ease Zelaya back into the presidency while resolving the concerns of Honduras' Supreme Court, Congress and military, which say they legally removed the president for violating the constitution. They accuse him of trying to extend his time in office, though he denies that.

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Friday the pace of negotiations will be set by Arias, but U.S. officials would continue consultations and would work within the OAS.

Arias won the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize for his role in ending Central America's civil wars.

____

Associated Press Writers Marianela Jimenez in San Jose, Costa Rica, and Ramon Almanzar in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, contributed to this report.

Comments

[SayWhatYouWill]

For all of those Hondurans (and Latin American natives) who claimed to be insulted by comments that the perfectly writing English comments coming from Hondurans in support of the coup were not representative of the average Honduran --

"According to UNICEF, less than one percent of the country's population were Internet users as of 2006, the most recent data available.UNESCO."

Now couple Internet users with those perfectly fluent in English.

http://www.miamiherald.com/579/story/1138977-p2.html

[themodernleader]

In countries throughout the world traditional people strive to to bring themselves and subsequent generations into the modern world of liveable jobs and economic opportunity, education to satisfy the goal of "I want to be somebody" of achievement and worth and equitable laws and justice.
The international financial interests support monopolistic financial system that exploits labor through monopolistic manufacturing agreements.
The rising countries of India, China, Russia and Brazil recognize that the power and value of a country is in its amount of opportunity for its people. All these countries have draconian restrictions on imports that might injure their rising industry and technology while shipping manufacturing products of ever improving quality to finance allegedly developed European and American consumers.
These countries have abandoned those traditional dogmas and knowledge that suffocate human progress and have adopted the tools of the scientific method. The developed countries, especially the United States are gradually undermining scientific rationally for tthe traditional promises of absolute values and eternal truths.
Using the proper tools, the rise and fall of countries and civilizations becomes obvious. And the scholars who see cycles in everything may be right. (Though I refuse to buy into the theory of human (or any other) inevitiability The end of the world as America experiences it ends in 2012.

[kid5rivers2]

Viva Zelaya! Punto final!

[zaz33]

To date, no government has stepped forward and declared that an "opinion poll" is a crime.

[ModernTimes1]

Breathless ignorance at its worst.

[eastfernstreet]

Please! Someone's got to call you out on this. Your history is based in some Eisenhower era, Cold War era misinformation. That, and I guess you probably still think FOX is news.

You are correct that the Honduran Constitution was constructed to keep dictators from rising to power. Unfortunately, the sort of dictators 'the founders' were anticipating were exactly the sort of military junta for whom you are now leading the cheer.

The mass of the Honduran people live in abject poverty. Zelaya was originally a centrist (meaning he would continue to allow the wealthy elites to run everything) who came to understand the misery of the Honduran public For this crime of compassion, he was going to be replaced in the upcoming election by the same elitists that put him in power in the first place.

In an effort to oppose the powers of the monied interests, Zalaya broke the golden rule and started to talk about and advocate for a Constitutional change. Problem is, the Constitution was designed to prevent just such a "populist" from coming staying in power. The law has been twisted to favor those whom it was intended to oppose.

You have it all exactly backward, I'm afraid.

[watchTVgetSTUPID]

I was amused this morning by CNN's Fareed Zakaria claiming the Honduras coup was protecting Democracy. He sounded so ridiculous and owned. He claimed the elected president was undemocratic for scheduling a Democratic vote by the Honduran people. He also claimed the military leaders were protecting Democracy by overthrowing the democratically elected President. When will a journalist dare to ask Obama if he will abandon the Monroe doctrine in place since 1823? The Monroe doctrine says the Western Hemisphere is ours to dominate by force if necessary.

2+2=5 ... white is black .... black is white
Fareed Zakaria is a propagandist
Fareed Zakaria is dangerous
Fareed Zakaria is the face of military subjugation of millions of people like you and me

So much for Bush/Obama Democracy flowing from the barrel of a Corporate owned gun.

[ModernTimes1]

Not sure whats worse, your ig.norance or pompous self righteousness. It's a toss up.

[BKROOBNZAI]

or your response which is both that which the first was not...

[bdaved]

Mo the Pot strikes again!

[zaz33]

watchTV - You're right about Zakaria - He's typical MSM

[HMDMSR]

Zakaria is a stooge of neoliberalism.

[mrh3]

The constitution of Honduras prohibits discussion of the topic of presidential re-election for the purpose of changing the constitution. This is a violation of the basic human right of free speach. The constitution also prohibits changing certain aspects of the constitution. This violates the right of the governed to choose their form of government which is also a violation of basic human rights.

[ModernTimes1]

The reason these laws are on the books is becuase the area has a sordid history with military juntas and takeovers. These laws are written to prevent it life time petty dictators which keep on buying and coercing votes
Don't bring your suburban logic founded on egocentric American perspective to another part of the world.
Get educated, read independent accounts, then carefully try an opinion.

[spreadlove59]

mrh3,
It's easy to say that when you are not living in a politically unstable country where democracy has not consolidated and there is little institutio­nalization­. One of the 7 articles, (Article 239) was put in to PREVENT dictators from keeping powers. This might not make sense for you if you've never had to fear living under one.

[mrh3]

If it was legal have a trial and test the actions taken. If it was legal why are they trumping up unrelated charges? Answer; It wasn't legal and they are doing what they always do.

[mcmchugh99]

This regime in Honduras is a military dictatorship, no matter how much they try to sugar coat it. They are presiding over a country with massive poverty and unemployment, which is hardly unusual in Latin America. Military dictatorships like these are very regressive though, and there will never be any chance for progress and social and economic development if Latin America starts going backwards like this. It's not an original observation by me that in a depression there is a great risk of dictatorships like these becoming a lot more common--as they did in the 1930s.

[ModernTimes1]

You're 20 years behind times. Try to educate yourself on the subject before posting.

[HMDMSR]

Yes, your points are made very well in "The Age of Extremes," by Eric Hobsbawm.

[OnReflection]

If the people of Honduras cannot follow the rule of law, does not mean that the world will follow this example, meaning Sanctions !

If Zelaya is guilty they should have impeached him and removed him from office, and have him stand trial for breaking the law, that is what is called the rule of law!

if Hondurus would have taken this path, thier would not be all this societal strife, following the rule of law would have made their society stronger, and more resilient against future tyrants! And the world would have stood by Hondurus and aplauded the goverment !

But removing the elected president in the middle of the night at gun point, that is just a joke and course many in hondurus cannot see the absurdity of what has occured for the fact that coups is all they know! This is what they are use to.

Instead of following the rule of law they have weakened their system to the point that when the next president is "elected" what is to prevent that president from being removed when he/she becomes unpopular, then another coup will take place also and again and again, Elections will be
meaningless !!

[ModernTimes1]

I agree with your comment. Supreme Court essentially ordered his arrest and trial. And this is what they should've done. Exile was an error.
They should extradite Zelaya back to Hond. now and begin trying him in a court of law

[bobo5]

Vacation in Costa Rica. Bank in Panama. No seas Nica. Fuq Honduras.

[ModernTimes1]

Article 239 of Honduran Constitution
No citizen that has already served as head of the Executive Branch can be President or Vice-President.

Whoever violates this law or proposes its reform, as well as those that support such violation directly or indirectly, will IMMEDIATELY cease in their functions and will be unable to hold any public office for a period of 10 years. "

Article 42: The legal rights of any citizen is lost:

...If the citizen incites, promotes, or supports the continuance or the re-election of the President of the Republic;

Any questions?

[surferbuoy]

Zelaya pushed it to the limit & lost which has to really pi$$ Chavez off...Zelaya didn't follow Chevez's game plan...(As did Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua) so in other words..Zelaya me44ed up big time.
The Honduran Citizens will gain from this & win in the end.

[sabocat]

Yes. What does ANY of the above have to do with a non-binding poll?

[surferbuoy]

There are several things in the Honduran constitution that can not be changed & term limits for the President is one of those. Zelaya's non-binding resolution in & of itself was illegal according to the congress, Supreme court & even the leaders in his own party..the only one who agreed it was OK was Chavez who was orchestrating the whole thing but Zelaya underestimated the people & other Honduran Leaders.

[ModernTimes1]

Fact: Hond Constitution EXPLICITLY prohibits what Zelaya did.
Fact: Attorney General, Congress and Supreme Court EXPLICITLY ordered Zelaya NOT to do this.
Fact: Zelaya secretly printed the ballots in Venezuela and tried to smuggle them in.
Fact: When they were confiscated at the airport El Prez. sent a group of paramilitaries to boost these ballots.
Fact: Supremer Court issues an order for his arrest shortly thereafter.
Fact: The power was transferred lawfully in the chain of constitutional ascendancy.
Fact: The new Pres is a liberal, in no way beholden to the military.

Welcome all FACTUAL challenges to the above. Please keep the 60s slogans to yourself..

[surferbuoy]

Very well said..facts will win in the end & so will the Honduran people.

[walisi]

Refutation of facts Part I:

Fact: The Honduran Constitution expressly permits ballot initiatives and citizen revisions to the Constitution barring a few sections. Indeed it's been revised several times before.
Fact: There is NO indication whatsoever that Zelaya at any point attempted to extend term limits. That's an unsubstantiated charge levied by coup leaders. There were no statements by Zelaya at any point prior to his ouster nor any statements on the ballots indicating such.
Fact: Zelaya's name does not appear anywhere on the November ballots. And any action taken to revise the Constitution would not have gone into effect in November. So it would have been impossible for Zelaya to serve another term as coup leaders have charged.
Fact: Honduras has impeached high-ranking officials before, but chose not to do that this time. Members of Congress contemplated initiating impeachment procedures the day before Zelaya's ouster, but chose not to proceed.
Fact: There is NO authority given to the Supreme Court to give military orders. Such acts are unconstitutional.
Fact: There were TWO referenda proposed. The first was a binding resolution that was struck down by the Supreme Court. Zelaya COMPLIED with that order and canceled the binding referendum.
Fact: The SECOND referendum was NON-BINDING. The Supreme Court made NO rulings regarding the second referendum, and hence was entirely legal.

[spreadlove59]

Walisi,
There IS indication that Zelaya attempted to extend term limits.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPTION
Alex Flores: .... in the next general elections, not these but the following one, do you intend to re-elect yourself if presidential re-election is approved? Yes or No?
Manuel Zelaya: ..... Regarding the second question, about whether I desire to participate in the actual [elections], no way. I will finish my four-year process that I swore to complete in front of the Constitution and the law, and I will finish it, my four years. Now, this opportunity that presents itself of a new opening to Honduran democracy, with a new Constitution that reflects internal changes in Honduras and external changes, is a fundamental moment so that in the near future Honduran society can re-evaluate itself and consider what Victor Mesa was saying: the possibility of removing the straitjackets that society itself has that impedes it from developing its social dynamic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQESeOqyiM8

As you can see Zelaya did NOT DENY that presidential re-election WOULD be something that COULD be CHANGE. Whether he intended to re-elect himself is irrelevant bc the Honduran Constitution automatically discharges public servants of their duties when they suggest this reform, (Article 239)

[spreadlove59]

There is NO authority given to the Supreme Court to give military orders. Such acts are unconstitutional?

ARTICULO 272.- Las Fuerzas Armadas de Honduras, son una Institución Nacional de carácter permanente, esencialmente profesional, apolítica, obediente y no deliberante.

Se constituyen para defender la integridad territorial y la soberanía de la República, mantener la paz, el orden público y el imperio de la Constitución, los principios de libre sufragio y la alternabilidad en el ejercicio de la Presidencia de la República.

This basically says that the Armed Forces have a duty to UPHOLD the CONSTITUTION. That is exactly what they were doing when they arrested Zelaya who had violated Article 239 and WAS NOT president at the time because the Constitution automatically discharged him.

[walisi]

Refutation of Facts Part II:

Fact: Under the Constitution, the military reports directly to the President. The Constitution gives full authority to the President to fire at will any military commander. The military general who defied the President's orders to distribute the SECOND, NON-BINDING resolution was openly defying the Comannder-in-Chief and deserved to be summarily sacked.
Fact: Transfer of authority was illegal because no impeachment proceedings commenced. The Congress admitted this by appealing their authority to oust Zelaya on a forged letter of resignation instead of grounds of impeachment.
Fact: The Constitution calls for the Supreme Court to adjudicate any impeached official. The impeached official has the right to due process before the Court. This not only didn't occur with Zelaya, it was expressly denied by Congress.
Fact: There is no provision in the Constitution to remove an elected official from office by forcing them on a place at gunpoint and flying them out of the country.
Fact: Micheletti initially said Zelaya was free to return to the country, but then recanted and has refused Zelaya entry in order to refute the charges.
Fact: Every legal body in the world that has examined the situation has declared Zelaya's ouster illegal based on Honduran law.

[ModernTimes1]

All the nonsense you posted can be refuted wholesale with two simple quotes:

1.Article 239 of Honduran Constitution

No citizen that has already served as head of the Executive Branch can be President or Vice-President.

Whoever violates this law or proposes its reform, as well as those that support such violation directly or indirectly, will IMMEDIATELY cease in their functions and will be unable to hold any public office for a period of 10 years. "

2.Article 42: The legal rights of any citizen is lost:
"...If the citizen incites, promotes, or supports the continuance or the re-election of the President of the Republic;"

You seem to have a severe case of inability ot digest law.

[ModernTimes1]

"Every legal body in the world that has examined the situation has declared Zelaya's ouster illegal based on Honduran law."

This is an absolute lie.
Post a link to some of those "legal bodies"

The only thing Hond. authorities did wrong was to exile Zelaya instead of incarcerating him to await trail as per Supreme Court order.

[spreadlove59]

Wasili,
The president IS the commander of Armed Forces but NOT when he is BREAKING the Constitution because the Armed Forces owe their primary allegiance to Constitution.

[Zapatista]

All Zelaya was trying to do was conduct a non binding POLL ! about whether the people would support amending the constitution.

For this he was kidnapped at night in his pajamas.

[ModernTimes1]

Zelaya violated a nmuber of injunctions from the Supreme Court and Attorney general, violated the Constitution had these ballots PRINTED IN VENEZUELA because it was against the law to print them in Honduras..
And this was all just for fun informal "poll"?!
If you believe it, go buy some Enron stock, dude.

[Zapatista]

The head of the Army and Air Force were both trained at the SCHOOL of the AMERICA's.

Follow the stench.

[ModernTimes1]

The first part of the fish to stink is its head.
Fact: Hond Constitution EXPLICITLY prohibits what Zelaya did.
Fact: Attorney General, Congress and Supreme Court EXPLICITLY ordered Zelaya NOT to do this.
Fact: Zelaya secretly printed the ballots in Venezuela and tried to smuggle them in.
Fact: When they were confiscated at the airport El Prez. sent a group of paramilitaries to boost these ballots.
Fact: Supremer Court issues an order for his arrest shortly thereafter.
Fact: The power was transferred lawfully in the chain of constitutional ascendancy.
Fact: The new Pres is a liberal, in no way beholden to the military.

Welcome all FACTUAL challenges to the above. Please keep the 60s slogans to yourself..

[sabocat]

How about the fact that this was a non-binding poll, not a so-called referendum? What you are really afraid of is the FACT that the popular movement had the temerity to challenge your feudal-like ownership tendencies. What you are really afraid of is the possibility the poll would have indicated a majority support for a real referendum, much like the gallup poll, which the NY Times reports indicate 46% against the coup, 41% in favor.

[bodo]

What's wrong with the traditional way South Americans dispose of their dictators?

[surferbuoy]

Would have been less trouble for sure.