MEDIA REACTION ON DEBT FORGIVENESS, JULY 18, 2005

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001499

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 18, 2005



1. On 7/17 the San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "La
Prensa" published an op-ed by Anibal Delgado entitled "Debt
Forgiveness Funds." "To use debt forgiveness' freed funds
correctly is a great challenge for Hondurans. Among all the
accumulated problems of the last 50 years, which should be
taken care of immediately?"

"The decision is not easy but the social part should have
consideration especially when, in the last years, the wealth
concentration process has taken the state's attention from
the poor. I'm proposing three matters that will confront
society's biggest interests."

"Eliminating hunger should be an essential matter. In
Honduras there is hunger and many resources should be
oriented to that. Water and environment should be another
important one. And an efficient national health plan
delivering system in the rural and urban areas."

"I think that Honduras has a well-designed health system but
sadly it has never been put into practice due to lack of
resources and administrative capacity. But now that we have
available resources we should start doing something about
it."

"Getting to debt forgiveness has been painful for the poor.
They should be the priority."

Tuebner