MEDIA REACTION ON IRAQ, MAY 6, 2004

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001050 SIPDIS FOR WHA/PDA, IIP/G/WHA, IIP/T/ES, AND WHA/CEN FOR PM, WHA/PPC, AND NEA/NGA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP PREL KPAO PGOV MOPS HO SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON IRAQ, MAY 6, 2004 ¶1. Editorial in Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna" on 5/6 entitled "Torture." "President Bush has been forced to use the Arab television network Al Arabiya in an attempt to quiet the wave of international indignation, especially in the Middle East and the U.S., that has arisen as a result of the disclosure of evidence that American soldiers have tortured and abused Iraqi prisoners." "Bush has had to face this disgraceful situation, and has tried to appease the anger it has provoked in the Arab world." "As we see it, the post-war problems in Iraq have proved much more difficult than invading, overthrowing and capturing Saddam Hussein." Pierce