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.