MEDIA REACTION ON HURRICANE RITA AND OIL PRICES,

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002009

SIPDIS

FOR WHA/PD, IIP/T/ES, IIP/G/WHA, EB, AND WHA/CEN
EMBASSIES FOR PAOS, IOs

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP PREL PGOV EPET KPAO HO
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON HURRICANE RITA AND OIL PRICES,
SEPTEMBER 28, 2005



1. Editorial in Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna"
on 9/28 titled "Boogeyman." "Hurricane Rita wasn't as
violent or as harmful as Katrina, but has had some negative
impact in the communities in the southern U.S., and has also
affected some oil refineries. However, that hasn't provoked
a dramatic rise in international oil prices as it was
expected."

"Here in Honduras, uncertainty still prevails on the
consequences it will have on domestic oil prices. But, in
the meantime, the transnational oil importers took into
account the suggestions made by the ad-hoc Oil Commission to
provide subsidized gas for public buses and taxis in the
main cities, but not to all other consumers. As we can see,
since the government lost control of the gasoline issue, it
now can't find its way out of this labyrinth."

Williard