Honduras Supreme Court: Zelaya must be tried on charges against him - Arias endorses elections

Yesterday, the Supreme Court of Honduras delivered to the National Congress its opinion on the matter of the reinstatement of Manuel Zelaya to the presidency of that Central American country. Under the terms of an agreement reached between the deposed president and current president Roberto Micheletti, the matter of Zelaya’s return to office is to be decided by the National Congress after consultations with other government agencies. The Congress solicited reports from the Attorney General, the Solicitor General, the Human Rights Commissioner and the Supreme Court. After receipt of the Court’s opinion, the National Congress now has in its possession all four reports requested. Although Mr. Zelaya disavowed the agreement less than a week after his representatives signed it, the Honduran government continues to abide by its terms.
The Court’s report was delivered to the Secretary of the National Congress by a delegation of four Justices, which included Chief Justice Jorge Rivera. The Chief Judge noted that their opinion did not include a ruling on Zelaya’s reinstatement. However, it reiterated the Court’s previous decision that he must submit to the Court’s jurisdiction to answer the charges against him. He also remarked that the opinion provides an analysis of the applicable law. Justice Jacobo Calix added that the opinion represents a consensus of 14 of the 15 members, but did not identify the one dissenter. He observed that the opinion is based on the nation’s constitution and its legal framework. The actual content of the report was not made public. As with the other reports given to Congress, it will be disclosed once the legislators meet on December 2 to debate Zelaya’s reinstatement.
In another important development, Costa Rica’s president Oscar Arias, who had attempted to negotiate Zelaya’s reinstatement on behalf of the Organization of American States, said yesterday that the international community should recognize the winner of the November 29 elections as Honduras’ legitimate president. He becomes the second Central American neighbor of Honduras to pledge to recognize the election results. Aside from Panama, Colombia, Peru and the United States, who have already pledged support, the Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini suggested that his country will recognize the elections if they appear free and credible. Less than two days before the polls open, the people of Honduras appear ready to participate and assert control over their future, rather than allow other countries to decide it for them.
(Above right: Supreme Court Chief Justice Jorge Rivera delivers court report to National Congress Secretary. Photo courtesy of La Prensa).

For additional information:
La Prensa's report on Arias' comments
La Prensa (Spanish) report on Supreme Court's opinion
Associated Press report claims Supreme Court recommended against reinstatement