Clinton, Arias Urge Dialogue in Honduras
After Zelaya's Return
By David Gollust
Washington - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton and Costa Rican President Oscar
Arias appealed for calm and dialogue in
Honduras on Monday after the surprise return
there of ousted President Manuel Zelaya.
Clinton met in New York with Mr. Arias, who
has been trying to broker a peaceful
resolution of the Honduran crisis.
The dramatic return of Mr. Zelaya dominated
a previously-scheduled meeting on Honduras
between Clinton and the Costa Rican leader,
both of whom expressed hope that the latest
turn of events does not lead to violence.
The left-leaning elected Honduran leader was
arrested by the military and deported three
months ago in a dispute over his efforts to
stage a referendum that would have allowed
him to remain in office beyond the end of
his term, which ends in January.
Although officials in Tegucigalpa contend
that Mr. Zelaya's ouster and replacement
with interim President Roberto Micheletti
was legal, the United States and other
Organization of American States member
countries say it was a coup d'etat, and the
Obama administration has suspended most aid
to Honduras.
At a photo session with Mr. Arias, a Nobel
peace laureate tasked by the OAS with
mediating the conflict, Clinton said it is
imperative that Mr. Zelaya's return not lead
to violence.
The Costa Rican president described the
development as a moment of opportunity for
Mr. Zelaya and his opponents to try to come
to an agreement. And he said he is willing
to go to the Honduran capital if both sides
wished.
Later, at a briefing for reporters,
Assistant Secretary of State for Public
Affairs P.J. Crowley said the United States
had warned the deposed president not to try
to return home in the absence of a
negotiated settlement. But, he said, now
that he has returned, the United States is
urging all those involved to show restraint.
"The real issue is what happens now," said
Crowley. "The Secretary made clear that
given that this has taken place, now is the
time for dialogue; now is the time for both
sides to sign on to the San Jose accords and
get on with the process of moving to a new
government through the electoral process,
and restoring democratic and constitutional
order."
Crowley said the U.S. Ambassador to
Honduras, Hugo Llorens had spoken to Mr.
Zelaya, who reportedly has taken refuge in
the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa after
his return under unexplained circumstances.
He said Clinton discussed the situation in a
telephone call with Brazilian Foreign
Minister Celso Amorim and that U.S.
officials have also been in contact with the
interim Honduran administration.
The United States has strongly supported the
Arias settlement plan - the San Jose accords
- under which Mr. Zelaya would return to
office to serve out the remainder of his
term, while those involved in his ouster
would receive amnesty.
But Mr. Micheletti's de facto government has
refused to consider any deal that would
allow Mr. Zelaya to return to power.
Earlier this month, the United States
revoked travel visas for members of the
interim government and warned that it might
not recognize the results of the country's
upcoming presidential election planned for
November 29.
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