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