MEDIA REACTION ON DRUG TRAFFICKING, JULY 10, 2003

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001637

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/PDA (MBUCKLEY); WHA/CEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP PREL KPAO PGOV IZ HO
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON DRUG TRAFFICKING, JULY 10, 2003



1. Editorial in Tegucigalpa-based moderate daily "El Heraldo" on
7/10 entitled "Narco trafficking and violence". "Drug trafficking
not only has the power to infiltrate the government and increase
corruption, it is also an instigator of violence, as it has
become evident in Colombia, Brazil or Mexico."

"An accurate manifestation of the violence generated by drug
trafficking is hired assassinations. About this, the Minister of
Security Oscar Alvarez, has declared that drug cartels are
training gang members or `mareros' to form an army of
professional assassins in Honduras, to resolve the territorial
conflicts and other disagreements derived from this illegal
business."

"In Honduras, violence generated by drug trafficking has not
reached the extent of other countries. To avoid this, it is
essential the determination of all law enforcement and judicial
institutions and the collaboration of the honest citizenship in
general. we still have time, but it is urgent to take the
appropriate measures."


Palmer