The secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS), Jose Miguel Insulza, on Wednesday inaugurated a formal dialogue in Honduras to overcome the constitutional crisis that began with June 28's coup.
Representatives of President Manuel Zelaya, who lost power in the coup; and that of Roberto Micheletti, who became president due to the coup, met in a hotel in Honduras' capital, Tegucigalpa.
Insulza announced the talks at a press conference where he was accompanied by Carlos Lopez Contreras, Micheletti's foreign minister; and Victor Meza, who heads Zelaya's negotiating team.
"Today we begin the process of dialogue which aims to overcome the political crisis triggered by the events of June 28. We are here to seek solutions together to problem that can no longer be extended," he said.
Insulza said that he hopes the dialogue will consider all the points of the San Jose accord, promoted by Costa Rica's President Oscar Arias. Arias' proposal was to return Zelaya's presidency, form a government of national unity, in exchange for Zelaya no longer seeking constitutional reforms, an amnesty for all those involved in the coup, and guarantees the former would take place.
"We all seek talks to heal divisions and seek an end to Hondurans paying for what happened," Insulza said.
He also said that the dialogue should guarantee Zelaya the conditions to work and live in line with his high post; that he be allowed access to the negotiating table without any interference; and that both sides be given the authority to negotiate binding agreements.
A mission of OAS foreign minister, with representatives of the Spanish government and the United Nations, arrived in Hernan Acosta Mejia air force base, south of Tegucigalpa on Wednesday for the talks.
The de facto government has sent three people to the talks: lawyer Armando Aguilar Cruz, businessman Arturo Corrales and Vilma Morales, a former Supreme Court chief.
Zelaya has sent three people: Mayra Mejia, his labour minister; Juan Barahona, a union leader; and Victor Meza, the interior minister.