MEDIA REACTION ON DEBT FORGIVENESS, JULY 15, 2005

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001498

SIPDIS

DEPT. FOR WHA/PD; IIP/G/WHA DIPASQUALE; AND IIP/T/ES
DEPT. FOR PM AND EB/TRA
DEPT. FOR WHA/EPSC, WHA/PPC AND WHA/CEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KPAO PGOV MASS EAID HO
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON DEBT FORGIVENESS, JULY 15, 2005



1. On 07/15, the San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "Tiempo"
published an editorial entitled "Consultation." "President
Maduro has begun a consultative process to find out how the
4 billion Lempiras received through the cancellation of our
multilateral debt will be used next year. It's already been
agreed that those monies, as well as those coming from the
MCA, will be included in the general budget of 2006, and
should be used to finance programs of social development and
poverty reduction."

"President Maduro has told the social sectors chosen to
participate in these consultations that Honduras has never
had this many resources to cope with our social needs. This
may be true, but we must acknowledge that these funds have
come as a result of the permanent sacrifice of the Honduran
people, who have paid in excess the loans given by the
industrialized countries, which has caused Honduras to be
considered a HIPC country."

"However, such consultations require an efficient
methodology and a whole different focus, which is not
currently the case, despite the good intentions of President
Maduro."

Tuebner