The Archbishop of Managua, Cardinal Miguel Obando y Bravo, said this week conversations between government representatives and opposition leaders have begun “with good will.”

As he was leaving the Catholic University, where he is participating as mediator between the two parties, the Cardinal expressed his confidence that “with the help of the Holy Spirit,” the conversations will lead to much good for Nicaragua.

His optimism stemmed from the first negotiations, which yielded five agreements on various issues, including a commitment by President Enrique Bolaños to publish and put into effect as soon as possible the partial reform of the Constitution, which was ratified on January 6 by the Nicaraguan congress.