MEDIA REACTION ON THE U.S ELECTIONS, NOVEMBER 10,

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002580

SIPDIS

FOR WHA/PDA (OHILTON),WHA/CEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP PREL KPAO PGOV KDEM HO
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON THE U.S ELECTIONS, NOVEMBER 10,
2004



1. Op-ed by Vicente Machado (Honduran Ambassador in
Colombia) in Tegucigalpa-based moderate daily "El Heraldo"
on 11/10, entitled "Wink to Kerry, Smile to Bush." "Senator
John Kerry received a wink in the ballots, but victory
smiled on President George Bush after the U.S. elections.
It was what almost everyone expected, although some skeptics
believed otherwise."

"I was one of those who believed Bush was going to win for a
simple reason: if the decision was to be taken by all those
from abroad, the politician of Massachusetts would have won
easily, but since the decision depended on the Americans, an
outcome in favor of the Texan was predictable."

"Right or wrong, the American electorate set an example that
should be followed: vote for the candidate you think is best
for your country. Hondurans, who will elect our officials
in 2005, should bear in mind that, at voting time or at any
time, Honduras should come first, second and always."

Palmer