MEDIA REACTION ON DEBT FORGIVENESS, AUGUST 1JULY

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001632

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, AUGUST 1JULY
28, 2005



1. On 08/01 The San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "Tiempo"
published an op-ed by Eduardo David Ardon entitled "How to
Utilize Debt Relief." "President Ricardo Maduro,
industrialists, labor organizations, political parties, and
all of Honduran society continue to express their opinions
on the way that the debt relief funds should be spent."

"The needs of Honduran society are too many to name, but in
our opinion, the current basic needs are health, education,
electrification, and employment."

"Using these as criteria, we propose that the debt relief
monies be used in making education more universal, creating
and developing technical careers, preparing human resources
for agricultural business, and preventing confrontations
between teachers and students."

"The use of loans, debt relief, and donations to invest in
agricultural business and industry, electrification,
redistribution of capital, and the dollarization and clean-
up of the economy are simple and practical proposals for
eradicating poverty and improving the quality of life."

"The presidential candidates, instead of dedicating
themselves to answering personal questions, have the
obligation to propose ideas and arguments for the correct
use of the 50 billion Lempiras (approximately USD$2.7
billion) resulting from the debt relief. Candidates should
convince current government leaders to not waste the money
of the people, otherwise the nation faces a future of grave
consequences."


Tuebner