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Posted on Wed, Jul. 22, 2009

Commentary: Honduras should accept the Arias proposal

Miami Herald |

last updated: July 21, 2009 06:45:45 PM

MIAMI — As Costa Rican President Oscar Arias attempts to find a solution to the Honduras crisis, the interim government of Roberto Micheletti faces the potential for growing violence by digging in its heels.

This weekend, Mr. Micheletti's government stubbornly rejected Mr. Arias' proposal, which would have returned Manuel Zelaya to the Honduran presidency and granted pardons to those involved in his ouster. The plan would institute new elections in October instead of the planned November event.

At this writing, Mr. Arias has asked for time to keep brokering a deal through Wednesday. He is right to try to avoid an escalation of violence as Mr. Zelaya's supporters — riled up by Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega and Venezuela's Hugo Chávez — demand his return.

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