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