MEDIA REACTION ON IRAQ, APRIL 26, 2004

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000966 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 26, 2004 ¶1. Editorial in San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "Tiempo" on 4/24 entitled "Return of the troops." "President Maduro has recently announced the return of the Honduran troops in Iraq, who were supposed to carry out humanitarian and reconstruction works in that country." "When the Honduran government took the decision to send troops to the Iraqi war, it was well aware of the risks involving this mission, because in a war everyone knows how it starts, but not how it ends. Thus, no one should plead ignorance, and much less try to deceive others." "On this issue, there should be no speculations or attempts to manipulate public opinion." ¶2. Op-ed by Mario Argueta in Tegucigalpa-based moderate daily "El Heraldo" on 4/24 entitled "The return." "The Honduran government has taken an appropriate decision by ordering the return of the second contingent of Honduran troops that was sent to Iraq in February." "The decision of President Maduro, which was broadly supported by the national public opinion, is very convenient. We should leave behind this adventure, and we expect our Armed Forces won't be required to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries that haven't requested our support." Palmer