Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03TEGUCIGALPA1996
2003-08-22 22:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Cable title:  

MEDIA COVERAGE ON THE VISIT OF SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

Tags:  OIIP PREL KPAO MOPS PGOV SNAR HO IZ 
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UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001996 

SIPDIS

FOR WHA/PD (OHILTON),WHA/CEN (TKELLY),PM, AND INL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP PREL KPAO MOPS PGOV SNAR HO IZ
SUBJECT: MEDIA COVERAGE ON THE VISIT OF SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
DONALD H. RUMSFELD TO HONDURAS, AUGUST 20, 2003


UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001996

SIPDIS

FOR WHA/PD (OHILTON),WHA/CEN (TKELLY),PM, AND INL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP PREL KPAO MOPS PGOV SNAR HO IZ
SUBJECT: MEDIA COVERAGE ON THE VISIT OF SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
DONALD H. RUMSFELD TO HONDURAS, AUGUST 20, 2003



1. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld visited Honduras on
8/20 and met with Honduran President Ricardo Maduro, Minister of
Defense Federico Breve, Chief of Staff General Isaias Barahona
and other top governmental officials.


2. In his opening remarks, Secretary Rumsfeld expressed the
gratitude of the U.S. government for the Honduran decision to
supply infantry and military police forces for Iraq, which was
important for Honduras, the U.S. and the region.


3. All four national newspapers (La Tribuna, El Heraldo, La
Prensa and Tiempo) announced Secretary Rumsfeld's visit on 8/19,
after President Maduro announced the visit.

Media Coverage of Secretary Rumsfeld's visit
--------------


4. Newspapers: All four Honduran newspapers had an extensive
coverage of the press conference by Secretary Rumsfeld and
President Ricardo Maduro. Three of them (Tegucigalpa-based "El
Heraldo" and "La Tribuna", and San Pedro Sula-based "La Prensa")
carried a front-page photo of Secretary Rumsfeld, Ambassador
Larry Palmer and President Maduro.


5. Television: Coverage on the main television stations was
extensive. All evening news programs (on channels 3, 5, 7, 9, 11
and 13) reported on the visit. A noon program (channel 3's
Noticiero Hoy Mismo al Da) had live coverage of part of the
press conference that was rerun in the evening program. Coverage
continued on 8/21 on the morning news program Noticiero TVC
(channels 3, 5, and 7).



6. Radio: Radio networks HRN, Radio America, and other smaller
stations also covered the visit. Some of them broadcast the
press conference live.


7. International Press: International wires such as AP, AFP,
Reuters, Notimex, Acan-Efe, and CNN Radio covered the visit. In
addition, U.S. press accompanying Secretary Rumsfeld (AP,
Reuters, AFP, NBC News, Chicago Tribune and Telemundo) also
covered the visit.


8. Headlines:
- "The U.S. wants to set up antidrug base" "Apparently they
seek to establish a base to help them achieve the objectives of
Plan Colombia" (El Heraldo).
- "Aid is being analyzed " "About disarmament, he said: we
wish you well and we want to assist you" (El Heraldo).
- "The U.S. respects efforts of Honduras against narcos" (La
Prensa).
- "The U.S. is analyzing request of equipment to fight narco
trafficking " (La Tribuna).
- "Why did Rumsfeld come?" "The U.S. respects the Central
American decision to reduce arms" (Tiempo, 8/21).
- "The U.S. is considering to give helicopters and radars for
fight against drugs" (Tiempo, 8/21).

Palmer