San José, July 19, 2009

Your Excellency, Mr. Oscar Arias Sánchez,

President of the Republic of Costa Rica
Mediator in the case of the situation in Honduras
San José
Excellency:
I have the honor of greeting you to make reference, in the most attentive
manner, to the suggestions contained in seven points, originally proposed by
you to the delegations of the Republic of Honduras and the representatives
of Mr. José Manuel Zelaya Rosales, presenting to you on said basis, our
observations, and proposing to you the following text:
We recognize that the return to Honduras of the petitioner, citizen José
Manuel Zelaya Rosales with all constitutional and international guarantees is
an important part of an overall agreement that would determine the matters
that must be resolved to give effect to our Constitution and Democracy
within the framework of the rule of law. Our position is inspired in the
concept of one Republic, rather than the image of a divided State and
society.
First, the return to Honduras of petitioner Mr. José Manuel Zelaya
Rosales with all necessary guarantees to exercise his rights to due process
before the competent jurisdictional organisms of the Judiciary Power.
Second, the strengthening of the democratic order and respect for the
separation of powers, through the formation of a government of national
unity and reconciliation, made up of members of the political parties and
sectors of society, based on requirements of capacity, merit, fitness and
ethics, that will defend the national sovereignty and combat drug trafficking.
Third, the guarantee of the effective compliance with the rule of law and
the rejection of corruption and impunity, insuring the respect for the
professionalism of the National Police, whose rotation must be carried out in
strict accordance with the terms of its special legislation. Consequently, the
integrity of public funds must be preserved and such funds as may have been
purloined and illegally utilized must be returned. With this same purpose, the
budget recently approved by the National Congress must be respected.

Fourth, a truth commission must be constituted that, for the Honduran

people and the international community, identify all acts, evident and
notorious events and circumstances that led to the current situation, both
during the period prior to June 28, and afterward.
Fifth, the possibility of advancing the date for the national elections,
already set, in accordance with the dispositions of the Supreme Electoral
Tribunal, in consultation with the presidential candidates.
Sixth, placing the Armed forces and the National Police under the
control of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, four months prior to the
elections in order to guarantee the transparency, freedom and normality of
the electoral process, which is a priority for our national security, according
to the Constitution of the Republic of Honduras, and to the Elections and
Political Organizations Law. The professionalism and functions of the
Armed Forces must be respected and insured in accordance with the
Constitution of the Republic, and any rotations must take place in strict
compliance with the terms established in the Law Establishing the Armed
Forces.
Seventh, the integration of a verification commission composed of
notable Hondurans to monitor compliance with these accords and provide
periodic reports to the people of Honduras and to the international
community.
The agreements that we have proposed must be submitted to the
consideration of the Judiciary, the Legislature, the Supreme Electoral
Tribunal and other competent public organisms.
All parties agree to respect the agreements and not to submit them to public
comment. I take this opportunity to renew my assurances of my highest and
distinguished consideration.

Carlos López Contreras

Secretary of State in the
Bureau of International Affairs
of the Republic of Honduras