Cablegate: Media Reaction On Iraq 3/20

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000740

SIPDIS

FOR IIP/G/WHA(DDISQUALE);WHA/PDA(MBUCKLEY)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KPAO PREL HO IZ PA
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON IRAQ 3/20

" Today moderate Tegucigalpa-based daily "El Heraldo"
carried comments and reactions by representatives of
Honduran political parties to the beginning of hostilities
in Iraq. The President of the Liberal Party in the Congress
stated, "the Liberal Party opposes war between the US and
IRAQ... the Honduran government should first get the
consensus of its citizens before announcing any official
position or support for anyone in this international
conflict. Not a single Honduran is in favor of war because
poor countries are the ones who will suffer the
consequences. We have to plead for peace in the world.
El Heraldo also carried half-page interviews with the German
and French Ambassadors to Honduras".

" A member of the political committee of the "Partido
Unificacin Democr tica" condemned the Honduran government
position. "Hondurans should not take sides in this war. The
UD Party cannot support a military conflict thatwhich does
not involve the country's national interest. A war could
impact unnecessarily on our economy."

" The Resident Representative of the United Nations, Jeffrey
Avina, was quoted as denying that the conflict between the
U.S. and Iraq would have a negative impact in Honduras,
saying that food aid won't suffer any changes. "What is
important is that the country conclude an agreement with the
IMF in order to have support from the international
community during the upcoming months".

Palmer.

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