MEDIA REACTION:"AMBASSADOR PALMER AND THE JUSTICE

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 003440

SIPDIS

FOR WHA/PDA,(MBUCKLEY; MPROCTOR); IIP/G/WHA (DDIPASQUALE)
EMBASSIES FOR PAOS, APAOS, Ios,

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KPAO HO
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION:"AMBASSADOR PALMER AND THE JUSTICE
SYSTEM"


1. Editorial in San Pedro Sula-based daily "La
Prensa"(liberal party periodical) (12/23),"Palmer and the
Justice System": The statements of Ambassador Larry Palmer
have bothered some thin-skinned members of the political
establishment. Essentially, what Ambassador Palmer said was
that that he hopes that legal cases involving U.S. Citizens
will be solved quickly based on principles of justice and
fairness. Ambassador Palmer also stated that if his country
feels that the legal system is not transparent and does not
provide a level playing field that this could affect trade
negotiations between the United States and Honduras."



2. "For some time now, the justice system in Honduras has
been questioned. The lack of judicial safeguards is not just
a rhetorical issue: the media is a wash with cases of
corruption and the lack of an ethical code. International
and local investigations into the legal system strongly
recommend reforms within the justice system.


3. "So why now do we hear such hostile reactions against
Ambassador Palmer? He is only asking for fair legal
procedures for his fellow-citizens and for Hondurans as
well.



4. ".What bothers some people who do business with the
government in a non transparent and honest way is that their
interests can be harmed because of the Ambassador's honest
statement about the need for a transparent way of doing
business."


5. Nevertheless, only the truth will set us free: free
from oppression, deception, and propaganda and above all
else free from corruption.





Palmer.