Zelaya, Micheletti in Costa Rica: Zelaya, Micheletti Meet With Negotiators

On Thursday July, 9th, 2009, Manuel Zelaya, the former president of Honduras, and Roberto Micheletti each traveled separately to Costa Rica; Zelaya from Nicaragua and Micheletti from Honduras. The mission was to resolve the government take-over by the Honduran Supreme Court and the Congress. Zelaya was ousted in late June and Roberto Micheletti was tapped by the Congress to fill the seat of President of Honduras.

Roberto Micheletti

Zelaya was snatched out of his bed in the middle of the night by the Honduran army and sent packing to Venezuela. Since that time, he has unsuccessfully attempted to re-enter the country. Micheletti's government has said Zelaya will be arrested if he steps a foot onto Honduran soil.

Manuel Zelaya

The Organization of American States (OAS) wants Zelaya re-instated. Barack Obama wants Zelaya re-instated. Micheletti is holding strong, and says the coup was not a coup but a "Constitutional succession." Costa Rican President Oscar Arias has been appointed "mediator." Both Zelaya and Micheletti visited separately with Arias. Here's how sources say the meeting went:

On the plane back he was in high spirits and joking with his security guards, but said he was disappointed Arias still viewed him as a golpista or coup leader.

Other comments about Roberto Micheletti:

Raised a Catholic, he wears a wooden ring made out of rosary beads and says he prays every night. ...colleagues and friends here describe him as a politically savvy dealmaker also known for digging in his heels. He is one of those people who will tell you something black is actually white and never back down," she said. "He can be one stubborn mule."

For information on why the Honduran Supreme Court and Congress ousted Manuel Zelaya, these links offer further information: Lugar Clinton: Explain Honduras Foreign Policy Please Honduras Thousands in the Street: Michelletti Supporters in the Streets Zelaya Returns: Zelaya Retreats Honduras Defending Constitution: Defending Democracy Honduras Threatened with Banishment from Organization of American States Zelaya Returns to Honduras: Micheletti Government to Block Zelaya Plane Micheletti Still Denies Zelaya Entry: Zelaya Visits Hillary Instead Honduras: Last Bastion of Democracy