MEDIA REACTION ON DHS, DECEMBER 30, 2005

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000001 SIPDIS FOR WHA/PDA AND WHA/CEN FOR IIP/G/WHA AND IIP/T/ES EMBASSIES FOR PAOS, IOS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP PGOV PREL KPAO HO SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON DHS, DECEMBER 30, 2005 ¶1. On 12/30 the San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "Tiempo" ran an op-ed by Cristina Ozaeta entitled "U.S. Defenseless towards Attacks." "According to a report issued by the Democrats, the Department of Homeland Security has failed and hasn't fulfilled 33 of its own promises to improve U.S. security. The study reveals that there are `serious gaps in maintaining security in several zones such as ports, borders and chemical plants." "On December 05, the former Director of the Commission (that investigated 9/11 attacks),Thomas Kean, said `More changes have to be made' to avoid a new attack." "He also advised that `the U.S. shouldn't need another `call for attention' and he was convinced that terrorists will `attack again, an idea that all experts share.'" "Finally, he said that the members of the former commission felt `frustrated' by the `government's lack of urgency to deal with the suggested measures.'" "The final report stated that the attacks were possible because the U.S. government didn't imagine the gravity of the terrorist threats, something that the Democrats condemn in this new analysis." Ford