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