Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04TEGUCIGALPA2440
2004-11-01 12:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION ON PRESIDENT MADURO'S VISIT TO

Tags:  OIIP PREL SMIG ECON KMCA KPAO HO 
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UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002440 

SIPDIS

FOR PD/WHA (OHILTON),IIP/G/WHA, EB/EPPD, AND WHA/CEN
INFO IIP/T/ES
EMBASSIES FOR PAOS, IOS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP PREL SMIG ECON KMCA KPAO HO
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON PRESIDENT MADURO'S VISIT TO
WASHINGTON, OCTOBER 27, 2004


UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002440

SIPDIS

FOR PD/WHA (OHILTON),IIP/G/WHA, EB/EPPD, AND WHA/CEN
INFO IIP/T/ES
EMBASSIES FOR PAOS, IOS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP PREL SMIG ECON KMCA KPAO HO
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON PRESIDENT MADURO'S VISIT TO
WASHINGTON, OCTOBER 27, 2004



1. Editorial in Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna"
on 10/23, entitled "Amnesty." "President Maduro is visiting
Washington, and because President Bush is probably busy with
his electoral campaign, he met with Secretary of State Colin
Powell to discuss several issues of interest to both
countries."

"Before leaving Honduras, Maduro announced that he was going
to lobby for another TPS extension and to request more aid
from the U.S. to fight drug trafficking. In addition, the
discussions with Powell dealt with the high oil prices, the
OAS General Secretariat, the situation in Haiti, and the
fact that some Central American countries are planning to
send troops as a result of a request from the U.S."

"Even though all these issues are important, we're aware
that the U.S. won't be able to help us that much to ease the
crisis we're going through because of the high oil prices,
and we already know that additional assistance to combat
drug trafficking won't be significant, although they are the
ones most affected by it. Therefore, the most important
issue for us will be the extension of TPS, which Washington
has said will be decided after the elections."

"We hope the negotiations carried out by President Maduro
are useful for the country, and we're satisfied to know that
he's personally taken over the negotiation on this issue
that is essential for us."


2. Editorial in Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna"
on 10/25, entitled "Two in the Bush." "Honduras is one of
the few countries to benefit from the MCA, which will
distribute about a billion dollars for social projects among
16 poor countries that have qualified. This was one of the
issues discussed by President Maduro in his recent meeting
with Secretary of State Colin Powell, considering the fact
that the first funds would be disbursed early next year."

"Honduras needs an extraordinary amount of resources to
stimulate its economic growth, since the package of measures
implemented to achieve an agreement with the IMF are far
from strengthening the economy."

"Another issue discussed with Powell was the extension of
TPS. The U.S. government said the decision will be
announced in 10 days, and we expect it to be positive since
Bush himself has proposed in his campaign a mechanism
similar to TPS for all immigrants."

"The Democrats have a broader initiative in this matter,
because they're proposing an amnesty that appears to be what
most immigrants aspire to. For the time being, it's better
to have a bird in the hand than two in the bush, and a new
TPS extension will give a breather to our countrymen living
in the U.S."

Palmer