MEDIA REACTION ON DRUGS, GANGS AND TERRORISM,

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002306

SIPDIS

DEPT. FOR WHA/PD; IIP/G/WHA DIPASQUALE; AND IIP/T/ES
DEPT. FOR EB/TPP DCLUNE, INL/LP, S/CT, WHA/PPC, AND WHA/CEN
DEPT. PASS USTR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KPAO SNAR PTER KCRM HO
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON DRUGS, GANGS AND TERRORISM,
NOVEMBER 10, 2005



1. On 09/03 the Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna"
published an editorial entitled "Bottleneck." "In one of
the Latin television channels in the U.S. a series of
reports about gangs in Honduras and Central America was
transmitted, linking them to the group of terrorists from
the Middle East that operate in Latin America. The
transmission isn't something that we should take lightly not
only because of the consequences with the North American
government but also because of the negative effects on
tourism in these countries."

"(In this series) We also learned that members of a U.S.
House of Representatives Committee dedicated to combating
illegal drug trafficking in Central America, are confident
that `terrorists could use the narco-traffic paths in
Central America to take advantage of the region's lack of a
strong surveillance system to enter the U.S.'"

"A declaration by Admiral Jeffrey Hathaway, a Coast Guard
Officer in Cayo Hueso, caused alarm among the Congressional
Members when he stated that `the authorities only
confiscated 25% to 35% of the drugs destined for the U.S.'
The confession produced a reaction in one of the
Representatives who immediately related the entry of drugs
with the danger that `terrorists could use this to enter the
U.S. with weapons and destroy part of our cities.'"

"The DEA Chief of Operations also admitted that the Central
American countries are badly equipped to face the threat of
narco-trafficking. He stated that the corruptive power of
these organizations within the Central American governments
makes it difficult to organize successful efforts in the
fight against drugs."

"These declarations should not only grab the attention of
the Honduran government but also deserve actions on their
part."

"These are powerful reasons to strengthen police and
investigative institutions as well as other entities that
fight organized crime, narco-trafficking and gangs. The
hitch being that these countries don't have enough resources
to handle their own problems, even less to handle those who
pass through to get to the other side."



Ford