1. Wide of Costa Rican President Oscar Arias during interview 2. Close of Arias speaking 3. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Oscar Arias, President of Costa Rica: "At this time I am asking both sides to re-establish, to restart the dialogue in San Jose. I say San Jose because there are not the conditions in Tegucigalpa to do it. If something is not done now, and if both sides do not sit down to talk, I fear that the violence could continue, it could increase, blood could be spilled and no-one wants that for the Honduran people." 4. Tilt-up from hands to Arias 5. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Oscar Arias, President of Costa Rica: "To escalate this conflict so that it becomes an international conflict - Brazil is already calling for a meeting with the Security Council - and I think that is playing with fire. I think this is the time to think before acting. The most logical thing is that if an agreement such as the San Jose one is on the table, that it be used as a guide to solve this conflict." 6. Cutaway of Arias 7. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Oscar Arias, President of Costa Rica: "Within the San Jose Agreement it is possible that these governments (referring to the international community) will consider additional sanctions. Additional sanctions that ultimately - as a result of the intransigence and lack of flexibility of (interim president Roberto) Micheletti's government - be paid for by the people." 8. Cutaway of Arias talking 9. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Oscar Arias, President of Costa Rica: "We are seeing the consequences (of Zelaya's return to Honduras). There has been violence in the streets. A curfew is in effect. Reaching a negotiated solution has become more difficult. It is not impossible but that is why I make an appeal for a return to the negotiation table. I don't know if this can serve as a catalyst to return to the negotiation table or if it becomes an obstacle. But maybe things have to get worse so that they can get better. I don't know." 10. Arias leaving interview STORYLINE: Costa Rican President Oscar Arias made a pressing call on Tuesday for both sides in the Honduran crisis to return to the negotiating table, warning that otherwise the conflict could turn dangerously violent. "If both sides do not sit down to talk, I fear that the violence could continue, it could increase, blood could be spilled and no one wants that for the Honduran people," Arias said during an interview with the Associated Press in New York. Baton-wielding soldiers used tear gas and water cannons to chase away thousands who demonstrated outside the Brazilian embassy in Honduras' capital on Tuesday, leaving deposed President Manuel Zelaya and 70 friends and relatives trapped inside without water, electricity or phones. Heavily armed soldiers stood guard on neighbouring rooftops and helicopters buzzed overhead. Zelaya, forced out of his country at gunpoint on June 28, returned to Tegucigalpa on Monday, telling captivated supporters that after three months of international exile and a secretive 15-hour cross-country journey, he was ready to lead again. Arias, the chief mediator in the conflict, said he did not believe a plan he proposed to resolve the crisis had necessarily failed following the clandestine return of Zelaya to Honduras, but that it required full commitment from both sides. The Costa Rican leader noted that although his plan, known as the San Jose Accord, had not yet led to advancements, it still remained the only feasible way out of a conflict that has paralysed Honduras for nearly three months. Interim Honduran President Roberto Micheletti told media on Tuesday that he was willing to engage in dialogue but specified that talks should not include those who had already been involved, including Arias. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/4a05db99b709ba9e07447e9f6c2bb421 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

• published: 23 Jul 2015
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