MEDIA REACTION ON JUSTICE AND SECURITY, JUNE 24,

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001484

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 ON JUSTICE AND SECURITY, JUNE 24,
2003


1. Article in San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "La Prensa"
on 6/24 entitled "Congress will request the removal of the
Minister of Security, the Attorney General and the President
of the Supreme Court". "The President and the Secretary of
Congress are so displeased with the limited results of the
fight against criminality that they will request the removal
of several high-ranking governmental officials."

Juan Orlando Hernandez, Secretary of Congress stated, "In a
short-term, Congress will request from these officials an
explanation of what is going wrong, also ask them if
Congress should do anything to help. We must demand them to
act immediately, and if they do not do anything having the
conditions to do their job, we will talk to President Maduro
to promote changes, if necessary."

He added, "We cannot wait anymore for actual results. the
people is in shock, to the point they believe the government
is not doing enough to fight criminality and Congress is
demanding to act promptly and vigorously to stop impunity in
the country."


2. Article in Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna"
on 6/24 entitled "President Maduro acknowledges that police
forces are infiltrated". "President Maduro is well aware his
police force is infiltrated with criminals and needs to be
amended as soon as possible, acknowledging this is one of
the topics less attended to that should have been done
otherwise. After meeting with the President of Congress,
Porfirio Lobo Sosa, Maduro announced a new law was being
enacted that would pursue the lawless policemen in the force
and give them a fair trial."


Palmer