MEDIA REACTION ON MILITARY SPENDING IN CENTRAL AMERICA,

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001873

SIPDIS

FOR WHA/PDA (OHILTON),WHA/CEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP PREL KPAO PGOV IZ HO
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON MILITARY SPENDING IN CENTRAL AMERICA,
AUGUST 8, 2003



1. Article in San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "Tiempo" on 8/8
entitled "Central America will analyze reduction in military
budgets". "The Central American Ministers of Interior, Foreign
Affairs and Defense will meet in Managua, Nicaragua next week to
discuss a possible reduction in military spending in all Central
American countries."

"During a visit to Honduras, the Nicaraguan Minister of Foreign
Affairs Norman Caldera stated, `we'll meet to discuss ways to
strengthen our relationships, to solve any disputes we may have
and to decide how we're going to use the resources originally
budgeted for military spending in other needs like education and
health'."


Pierce