MEDIA REACTION ON DEBT FORGIVENESS, DECEMBER 27,

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002585

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, DECEMBER 27,
2005



1. On 12/27 the San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "La
Prensa" published an editorial entitled "Debt Forgiveness."
"Debt relief is forgiving, it isn't a synonym for
repatriating money, having more loans, or for the government
to use it freely."

"In this debt forgiveness lottery we are not including the
$215 million Millennium Challenge Account."

"This program was approved by the U.S. President, George
Bush, in February, 2003 and ratified by the Honduran
Congress in December, 2003."

"But with this forgiveness not everything is good because
our authorities have to fulfill a lot of serious
commitments."

"The most important one to achieve is the Poverty Reduction
Strategy, presented by Honduras to the international
organizations."

"Bush warned that the Millennium Challenge Account `was
approved for countries that govern with justice, invest in
people and promote economic freedom."

"It is a warning for Honduras to manage with justice and to
fight against corruption."


2. On 12/23 the San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "Tiempo"
ran an editorial entitled "Debt Forgiveness." "IMF's
decision to forgive 100 percent of Honduras' debt and
eighteen other countries is the result of a long and
torturous process of almost eight years that probably will
end at the beginning of next year."

"Of a total of $3.3 billion debt relief, Honduras will
receive approximately $130 million, which might open the
doors to the World Banks' $1.3 billion debt relief."

"This is an enormous responsibility and a challenge to the
government, national leadership and the nation altogether,
because it is an opportunity to rescue our country from
underdevelopment and social marginalization, which is a task
that can only be achieved through unity."

"Respecting the fight against poverty it is not only to
establish an adequate platform to boost economic growth and
goods production and services to satisfy internal
necessities and export, but also to promote social
development, honesty and administrative efficiency,
democratic security and legitimacy of political, economic
and social leadership."

Ford