MEDIA REACTION ON THE SPECIAL SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS, JANUARY 13, 2004

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000077

SIPDIS

FOR WHA/PD, WHA/CEN, AND IIP/G/WHA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KPAO KSUM PREL HO
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON THE SPECIAL SUMMIT OF THE
AMERICAS, JANUARY 13, 2004



1. Editorial in Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna"
on 1/13 entitled "Less differences". "The Summit of the
Americas was inaugurated in Monterrey, Mexico, in a context
of apparent or real differences among some of the countries
participating on it." "The Summit will touch on a series of
interesting issues, and although there's always some doubt
about the practical results of discussions, the Summit could
help to reduce the tension between the U.S. and some Latin
American countries."


2. Editorial in San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "Tiempo"
on 1/13 entitled "The Summit of the Americas". "The Summit
of the Americas meets in a relatively volatile environment,
seeking to define the themes of a broad declaration about
the most important issues in our Hemisphere."

"Ppoverty, which was one of the most widely present issues
in previous Summits, no longer has the impact it used to,
largely because its influence on the media has obviously
decreased, although its importance has not. Now, we need
concrete and tangible actions to combat it, rather than just
political declarations on poverty."

"It appears that the final document of the Summit will
highlight the importance of small and medium enterprises for
the development of Latin America, as well as the need to put
an end to corruption."

Palmer