MEDIA REACTION ON MIGRATION, JUNE 24, 2003

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001485 SIPDIS FOR PD/WHA (MBUCKLEY); IIP/G/WHA DIPASQUALE; EB/EPPD DCLUNE; USTR AGASH INFO IIP/T/ES EMBASSIES FOR PAOS, IOs, E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP PREL KPAO IZ HO PA SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON MIGRATION, JUNE 24, 2003 ¶1. Editorial on Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna" on 6/24 entitled "Migration". "Negotiations on the migration issue were conducted between the governor of New Mexico and the Mexican President, Vicente Fox. President Fox believed that, with Mexico being one of the U.S.'s closest neighbors, the openness of the U.S. on the migration issue would be without precedents. Migration was not at the top of President Bush's To-Do list but it is one of the top priorities for Mexico. Tensions and amicable feelings have been on and off and recently it seems Mexico has been distancing itself from the U.S., so much that Fox hasn't contributed very much with the Bush Administration nor did he support the U.S. campaign in Iraq." "Resentment has grown between the two nations, yet it has helped Fox since he rose and gained support from his citizens by using the traditional bitterness already felt for the U.S. Yet this antipathy can't continue if Mexico wishes to continue with a Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. close at hand. That is why the governor of New Mexico visited Fox, to try to amend the tension between the two countries. Honduras is included in the migratory topic because if the U.S. is willing to reopen its doors for Mexico then Honduras should take advantage of the opportunity as well." Palmer