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Honduran rivals at mediated talks | Honduran rivals at mediated talks |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya and interim leader Roberto Micheletti have held mediated talks in Costa Rica on the political crisis in Honduras. | |
The men had separate talks with Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, who is mediating, but did not meet each other. | |
Mr Micheletti, who insists Mr Zelaya should give up his claims to the presidency, has now left Costa Rica. | |
Mr Zelaya says he is the democratically-elected president and should be restored to power. | |
Mr Micheletti said he would return to Honduras "totally satisfied" and that a working team would remain in Costa Rica to continue the talks. | |
Earlier, he had said he did not go to Costa Rica to negotiate, simply to talk. | |
Long term hopes | |
Mr Zelaya, speaking after his meeting with Mr Arias, said both sides had "made the first step". | |
"President Arias heard my position and that of the union and political representatives with me, which is the immediate restoration of the elected president," he said. | |
CRISIS TIMELINE President Zelaya planned non-binding public consultation on constitutional changeCritics say he wanted to stay in power28 June: Troops seize and expel Zelaya; parliamentary speaker becomes interim leader29 June: US President Obama condemns the overthrow as illegal4 July: Organization of American States suspends Honduras in protest at overthrow5 July: Mr Zelaya's jet is turned back from Honduras and clashes with troops leave at least one person dead 9 July: Two sides to attend mediated by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias | |
Mr Zelaya had earlier described Mr Micheletti as a "criminal". | Mr Zelaya had earlier described Mr Micheletti as a "criminal". |
The BBC's Steve Gibbs in the region said Mr Micheletti's departure will be a big blow to the mediators. | |
But the fact that the two men are former allies could mean there is a chance of agreement being reached in the long term, says our correspondent. | |
Before his meetings, President Arias said that once two sides started talking, "positions begin to soften". | Before his meetings, President Arias said that once two sides started talking, "positions begin to soften". |
But Mr Arias, who won the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize for helping bring an end to Central America's civil wars, said he recognised the size of the current task in Honduras. | But Mr Arias, who won the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize for helping bring an end to Central America's civil wars, said he recognised the size of the current task in Honduras. |
"In two days there could be a solution, or it could be that in two months there is no solution," he said. | "In two days there could be a solution, or it could be that in two months there is no solution," he said. |
The talks are scheduled to continue on Friday. | |
Both sides made statements ahead of the talks showing little willingness to negotiate. | Both sides made statements ahead of the talks showing little willingness to negotiate. |
The interim government says it intends to ensure Mr Zelaya returns to Honduras to face trial for abusing the constitution. | The interim government says it intends to ensure Mr Zelaya returns to Honduras to face trial for abusing the constitution. |
But as he arrived in San Jose, Mr Zelaya told reporters he expected the leaders of the coup to leave power in 24 hours. | But as he arrived in San Jose, Mr Zelaya told reporters he expected the leaders of the coup to leave power in 24 hours. |
Mr Micheletti said: "We're not going to negotiate, we're going to talk. We'll work tirelessly to seek a solution within the framework of the constitution." | Mr Micheletti said: "We're not going to negotiate, we're going to talk. We'll work tirelessly to seek a solution within the framework of the constitution." |
Rival protests | |
Mr Zelaya was ousted and forced out of Honduras at gunpoint on 28 June. | |
The political crisis erupted after Mr Zelaya attempted to hold a non-binding public consultation to ask people whether they supported moves to change the constitution. | The political crisis erupted after Mr Zelaya attempted to hold a non-binding public consultation to ask people whether they supported moves to change the constitution. |
Opponents said that could have led to the removal of the current one-term limit on serving as president and so pave the way for Mr Zelaya's possible re-election. | Opponents said that could have led to the removal of the current one-term limit on serving as president and so pave the way for Mr Zelaya's possible re-election. |
In Honduras itself, thousands of supporters and opponents of Mr Zelaya held rival demonstrations on Thursday. | In Honduras itself, thousands of supporters and opponents of Mr Zelaya held rival demonstrations on Thursday. |
Supporters of Mr Zelaya cut off several main highways, while Mr Micheletti's backers took to the streets of San Pedro Sula and other towns. | Supporters of Mr Zelaya cut off several main highways, while Mr Micheletti's backers took to the streets of San Pedro Sula and other towns. |