TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Negotiator for ousted Honduran president accepts Arias plan in principle, say talks stalemated.

Excerpt over. From 9 P.M. Eastern Time, there are 4 hours until the talks, by Zelaya standards, are over. This report means anytime now Zelaya could say it is over. Unless there is a major breakthrough, the talks are essentially over. If Zelaya keeps the hard line, Honduras enters civil war. If he backs down, his legitimacy is finished and the Mitchelleti government has breathing space. This is only if Venezuela and Nicaragua maintain neutrality in the affairs of Honduras.

Should they get involved it becomes more than a civil war. It could be an invasion or a proxy war. The only way this is going to avoid conflict is if Zelaya admits, in a sense, defeat. All the bluster and talk so far has been pointless if he backs down. It diminishes his legitimacy and gives the new Honduran government recognition as they hold the country. It will be interesting to see how this goes.