MEDIA REACTION ON IRAQ, APRIL 15, 2004

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000862

SIPDIS

FOR WHA/PDA, IIP/G/WHA, IIP/T/ES, AND WHA/CEN
FOR PM, WHA/PPC, AND NEA/NGA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP PREL KPAO PGOV MOPS HO
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON IRAQ, APRIL 15, 2004



1. Editorial in San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "La
Prensa" on 4/15 entitled "Iraq." "The situation in Iraq has
deteriorated in the last weeks, due to the uprising of
several armed groups in territories controlled by Shiites
and Sunnis threatens to spread the violence to the whole
Iraq."

"Military actions won't lead to a rational and permanent
solution if they aren't backed and strengthened by a
political strategy focused on the dialogue and negotiation,
to develop a process to establish a popularly-elected Iraqi
government in a peaceful and safe environment."

"Our soldiers are certainly trying to help in that
undertaking, but they face the risk of getting involved in
the violence provoked by the religious and political
extremism."

Palmer