San Jose - Costa Rican President Oscar Arias said Friday that "things are going badly" in Honduras and regretted the uncompromising stance taken by Honduras' de facto government. Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, who returned secretly to Tegucigalpa this week and took refuge in the Brazilian embassy, held talks Thursday night with a representative of the de facto government. But Zelaya said they remained "inflexible."
However, Jose Miguel Insulza, secretary general of the Organization of American States, told Chilean radio Friday that he was optimistic about an agreement being reached.
"I believe it is going to take some time, it is going to be difficult, but if there is goodwill from both parties we can solve this problem," Insulza said.
Arias, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his efforts to secure peace in Central America, has been playing the role of mediator in the Honduran conflict following the June 28 coup that ousted Zelaya.
Arias drafted the so-called San Jose Accord, which called for Zelaya's reinstatement as president to head a government of national reconciliation until his term ends in January. However, the accord was rejected by the de facto government headed by former Congress speaker Roberto Micheletti.
"They may sit down to negotiate again, but (Micheletti) has not budged an inch," Arias said.
The international community has refused to recognize Micheletti's government and backs Zelaya as Honduras' legitimate president.
