MEDIA REACTION: "INTEGRATION AND LEADERSHIP"

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002871

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FOR PD/WHA (MBUCKLEY)
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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KPAO HO PA
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: "INTEGRATION AND LEADERSHIP"

October 11, Editorial in "Tiempo"(San Pedro Sula-based
Liberal paper owned by businessman and Congressional
Deputy Rosenthal): "The new U.S. Ambassador to Honduras,
Doctor Larry Palmer, has begun his diplomatic work
announcing that the US will continue working for regional
integration." Obviously the U.S. government is convinced
wisely that Central America's economic and social
problems have a negative impact on the United States,
mainly the substantial flow of illegal immigrants - these
problems can not be resolved individually by each country
but only regionally".

"Ambassador Palmer's statements should not be ignored
because it shows the firmness of his country's stance on
the Free Trade Agreement that is now being negotiated
between the United States and the Hemisphere - a Free
Trade Agreement good for Central America and the United
States".

"The fact is that the conclusion of the NAFTA agreement
between the United States and Canada can be seen not only
as a tool for economic growth or as a commercial
interchange, but as a way to help solve the social
calamities of poverty and unemployment". Honduras
understands the value of integration but until now has
not taken any concrete action. It is time to make an
extra effort to put it into practice--it is an urgent
task for real leaders".


Palmer.