MEDIA REACTION ON THE VISIT OF SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002623

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP PREL KPAO PGOV HO
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON THE VISIT OF SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN
POWELL TO HONDURAS, NOVEMBER 4, 2003



1. Editorial in Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna" on
11/5 entitled "Powell". "Throughout the uncertain times Honduras
is going through, the visit of Colin Powell to Honduras has
brought very good news. The U.S. Secretary of State has said
that Honduras could be one of the countries to be benefited from
the Millennium Account that will allocate 5 billion dollars for
developing countries. These funds will be given to those
countries committed to democracy and those that have implemented
social, economic and political reforms which will ensure economic
openness."

"There's no doubt that Honduras will qualify to access to these
funds, because we're a developing country and we have done the
necessary efforts to implement a series of comprehensive
political, social and economic reforms. And, the most important
thing is that we have sent Honduran troops to Iraq."

"Powell, who is a very influential figure in the American
political arena, took this opportunity to thank for the Honduran
support for being part of the original coalition of nations that
sent troops to Iraq, when other countries refused to do so. The
importance of sending troops to Iraq isn't the number of soldiers
we have sent, it is actually our willingness to help."

Palmer