MEDIA REACTION ON JOINT U.S.-HONDURAN MILITARY BASE

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000996

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 EAIR EAID HO
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON JOINT U.S.-HONDURAN MILITARY BASE
SOTO CANO/PALMEROLA, MAY 09, 2005



1. On 05/09, the San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "Tiempo"
carried an editorial entitled "Palmerola." "For many years
Comayagua's agricultural workers have asked the government
to use the military airport of Palmerola for transporting
their goods to the U.S. and other markets, in order to save
costs and improve the quality of the exportations."

"On the other hand, Palmerola is being considered an
alternative as an international airport due to its proximity
to the capital city."

"President Maduro has ordered the start of negotiations to
use it for commercial purposes, and, we suppose, without
abolishing its military purpose."

"We also have to be conscientious that the transformation of
the military base into an international airport is not a
perfect solution for Tegucigalpa and all the Western and
Southern population of the country. They have to establish
a system that solves the time and transportation problem."

"They have talked about building a highway which will cost
more or less the same as the building of a new airport.
That is without counting Inter Airport's contract, which has
exclusivity for operation and management of all the
commercial airports in the country."


2. Comment: Post notes that contrary to this editorial,
"negotiations" have not begun over the possible use of Soto
Cano/Palmerola for civilian aviation, a though the Gott has
broached the subject with the Embassy. End Comment.

Pierce