MEDIA REACTION ON TPS, NOVEMBER 1, 2004

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FOR PD/WHA (OHILTON),IIP/G/WHA, WHA/CEN
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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP PREL SMIG KPAO HO
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON TPS, NOVEMBER 1, 2004



1. Editorial in San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "Tiempo"
on 10/30, entitled "TPS." "The decision of President Bush
to extend TPS until June 6, 2006, is vital because of the
critical economic and social situation the country is going
through, where the problem of unemployment is significant
and without an apparent solution in the short term."

"We're well aware that the key to the problem of illegal
immigration by Hondurans resides in creating the appropriate
conditions to develop our production, to improve our trade
relationships, and to establish a democratic society that
creates opportunities for all here."

"However, in the meantime, these aspirations would be
frustrated if the U.S. doesn't offer an alternative like
TPS, or better yet, granting a permanent status to all
undocumented Hondurans."


2. Editorial in Tegucigalpa-based moderate daily "El
Heraldo" on 11/1, entitled "Fifth Time." "The fifth TPS
extension, which benefits more than 90,000 Hondurans, is
very good news for our countrymen, their relatives, and the
country in general, because not only are we still
experiencing high unemployment levels, but also the our
economy increasingly depends on the remittances sent by
those who have fled from poverty."

"An obviously excited President Maduro made the announcement
on Friday in a press conference broadcast by radio and
television, where he said that this generous gesture of the
U.S. government was `the most important success of our
foreign policy and even of our economic and social policy.'
The Maduro Administration has achieved three TPS extensions,
and the negotiations for the next one will be carried out by
his successor."

"Until the day comes when no Honduran has to leave the
country due to the lack of opportunities here, we must keep
aiming for a permanent status for those registered in TPS
and an agreement with the USG to allow Hondurans to work
temporarily in the U.S. to avoid more tragedies occurring to
those still seeking the `American dream'."


3. Editorial in Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna"
on 11/1, entitled "Fifth Extension." "As was foreseen a few
days ago by Ambassador Larry Palmer, the USG, in response to
a petition by the Maduro government, has granted a fifth
extension of TPS to our undocumented countrymen living in
the U.S."

"No one knows how many more extensions we can get, and
that's why the next administration has to look for an
amnesty or any other kind of permanent solution."

Palmer