MEDIA REACTIONS ON THE SPECIAL SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS, JANUARY 12, 2004

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000078 SIPDIS FOR WHA/PD, WHA/CEN, AND IIP/G/WHA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KPAO KSUM PREL HO SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTIONS ON THE SPECIAL SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS, JANUARY 12, 2004 ¶1. Editorial in San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "La Prensa" on 1/12 entitled "The Monterrey Summit". "The Summit of the Americas in Monterrey will be a crucial test for the relationship between Latin America and the U.S. due to the controversy that has arisen lately over sensitive issues of foreign policy and the internal affairs of certain Latin American countries." "This Summit will be, without a doubt, charged with tension, and it could be the starting point of a `Latin American axis' led by Brazil, Argentina, and Venezuela." "Central American governments have kept themselves out of this controversy. Their current interests are mainly related to CAFTA and the new U.S. immigration policy that was announced by President Bush a few days ago." Palmer