Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
03TEGUCIGALPA2663 | 2003-11-12 21:43:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Tegucigalpa |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. |
UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002663 |
1. Op-ed by Ramon Villeda Bermudez (current Liberal Party Congressman) in Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna" on 11/12 entitled "Why did Colin Powell come to Honduras? ". "The Honduran press received almost a dozen clues about the issues discussed with Secretary Powell, but Powell himself said that the fight against corruption in Central America is one of the main priorities and conditions to get the assistance the U.S. will offer to the countries of this region through the Millennium Challenge Account." "Why would he want to highlight this particular issue? It seems that the position of Honduras at the top of the international scale of corruption has definitely caught the attention of our partners, and they are warning us beforehand about what we should do to improve that situation, in order to qualify to get more aid." "It's likely that the issues discussed with Powell and his delegation included the reorganization of the judicial system, as well as the political and legal reforms in Honduras. It's also probable that President Maduro himself talked about the issue of coffee, which is crucial for the country as a whole, and especially for some businessmen who are very close to the President. It's feasible that the Executive branch took full credit for the elimination of immunities, which was a particular decision by Congress that was taken without any external pressure." "Regarding our bilateral relationships, it's still unknown if our relationship with Cuba was a matter of discussion." "We believe our cooperation with the reconstruction efforts and our commitment to send troops to Iraq is something that should be part of our past and current agenda, it shouldn't be part of our plans for the future." "CAFTA was definitely one of the top issues in Powell's agenda. We suppose that President Maduro and his collaborators informed him that everything is on track, although I believe they didn't have time to explain to Powell the persistent doubts that some businessmen and even some ministers have about this agreement." "The issues of terrorism and narcotrafficking should have been emphasized on this visit more than any other. The Honduran request for more helicopters and other equipment for these tasks is widely known. After all, the successes on drug seizures and the arrests of drug traffickers have to help us to get more aid. But, here's where the issue of corruption comes up again, and as Powell said, our efforts to fight against it should be similar to our willingness to combat drug trafficking." "Furthermore, we believe President Maduro requested Powell the help of the U.S. delegate in the IMF in our negotiations with this international institution. We don't know if the White House experts are aware of how important the U.S. support on this matter is. Honduras needs to get the billion dollars for debt relief that our creditors promised to us in Stockholm." "It'll be helpful that President Maduro himself informs to the people what was discussed with Powell, to prevent any surprises in the future as it has happened before. For instance, it was very unpleasant to find out, just a little before it was approved in Congress, that President Maduro and the Minister of Foreign Affairs had secretly signed an agreement with the U.S. in September 2002 that prohibits submitting troops from both countries to international criminal courts when they commit war crimes and crimes against humanity." "This kind of secrecy has caused an obvious distrust in our agreements with the U.S. Such dishonorable agreements are not known in due time to the Congressmen and the Honduran people." Palmer |