MEDIA REACTION ON IRAQ, APRIL 15, 2004

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000873 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. Article in Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna" on 4/15 entitled "Sixth attack to Tegucigalpa Base." "Colonel Wilfredo Calderon Canales, commander of battalion Xatruch II, confirmed in a phone interview that the Honduran base in Najaf was attacked by unknown Iraqi forces on the afternoon of 4/14." "Colonel Calderon Canales said, `we're always alert, and we have reinforced our base to prevent other attacks. I'm happy to say that there have been no injuries or material losses to our base'." ¶2. Article in San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "Tiempo" on 4/15 entitled "Troops would return from Iraq." "Federico Breve, Minister of Defense, said that only if the conditions of the war in Iraq become intolerable, he would recommend the return of the Honduran troops." "Breve said, `If we believe the situation becomes intolerable, and it isn't possible for our troops to handle it properly, we'd recommend their return. However, I think the current instability is only temporary. We're convinced we'll complete our mission, and the troops will return once the authorization by Congress terminates in July'." ¶3. On 4/14, the news program "Abriendo Brecha" showed the second part of a series of reports from Iraq by Yuri Mora. The report focused on the work done by the 12 women soldiers who are part of Xatruch II battalion, and the fact that Honduras is the only Latin American country that has sent women to Iraq. They are in charge of providing medical attention, patrolling, and other activities. Palmer