Arias' 7-point plan for Honduras

It's hard to know whether the weekend's second-round talks on Honduras' crisis, which produced the Arias-backed "7-point plan" for ousted President Manuel Zelaya's return to the Honduran presidency, should be considered progress or a setback. Given the nature of the hostilities and intransigence on both sides thus far, I'm inclined to call it progress.

Despite the interim government's declaration that the second-round of negotiations in San Jose had "failed" and Zelaya's announcement that he would soon seek "alternative means" for his own return, the production of a somewhat concrete plan of action -- even if neither side has fully endorsed it yet -- is a step forward.

The consistently thoughtful Honduras Coup 2009 blog has prepared a translation of the seven point plan and some good analysis on its feasibility. Boz has also put together a compelling analysis of the interim government's rationale for still holding back.

I'd be interested in hearing opinions on the merits of this plan, the first concrete and ostensibly unbiased proposal for next steps for Honduras that we've seen since June 28.

Sources: New York Times, AP, La Tribuna, El Heraldo, Honduras Coup 2000 blog