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OAS mission leaves as talks on resolving Honduras political crisis begin
TEGUCIGALPA, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Organization of American States (OAS) foreign ministers' mission left Honduras on Thursday, leaving a technical committee in place, to follow up on progress made in resolving Honduras political crisis.Costa Rican Foreign Minister Bruno Stagno read a statement stating the committee's optimism as officials prepared to leave Tegucigalpa. "The OAS mission is convinced that the dialogue begun with the direct participation of both sides can lead to the overcoming of the political crisis in which the nation is involved," the statement said. "The OAS has proposed to all interlocutors that, in order for dialogue to be undertaken in an appropriate manner, all constitutional guarantees be restored and all media whose operation has been suspended be restituted." The mission had also asked that Manuel Zelaya, who was ousted from the presidency in a June 28 coup, have normal access and consultation with representatives at the negotiating table and that the problem relating to Brazil's embassy in Honduras capital Tegucigalpa, where Zelaya has been staying since Sept. 21, be resolved. The mission also demanded that Zelaya be given "living and working conditions appropriate to his high office." Stagno said that the OAS hoped the participants at the negotiating table will undertake the responsibility given to them to find a way to restore democratic order in Honduras. He also called for all sides to respect human rights in order to maintain an atmosphere of peace and reconciliation that is offered by dialogue. The mission arrived on Wednesday in Tegucigalpa, meeting first with Roberto Micheletti, who became president after the coup, then with Zelaya and candidates for president. On Thursday, committees sent by Zelaya and Micheletti met but the two sides have not yet reached any agreement. Zelaya said earlier that the discussions, which will last until Oct. 15, have to restore him to the presidency. Posted by: Steve White 2009-10-09 |
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