Cablegate: Media Reaction On Article 98, June 9, 2003

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

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001328

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/PDA (MBUCKLEY); WHA/CEN, PD TASK FORCE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP PREL KPAO PGOV IZ HO
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON ARTICLE 98, JUNE 9, 2003

1. Regular columnist Ramon Villeda Bermudez on liberal daily
"La Tribuna", Tegucigalpa based 6/7 entitled: "International
Disgrace". "The Government of Honduras has committed one of
the most degrading acts by approving a "dishonorable
agreement" with the United States (Article 98). This
agreement prohibits both countries from turning over to the
International Criminal Court (ICC) any citizen from both
countries that is accused of genocide, crimes against
humanity or war crimes. This degrading act violates the Rome
Statute of the ICC, which had been approved unanimously by a
past legislature."

"The manner in which this agreement was approved was also
irregular. First at all, the bill was submitted to the
National Congress past-midnight during the final session of
the legislature, after the agreement was kept in secret for
more than eight months since President Maduro signed it on
September 2002. Furthermore, this agreement was approved by a
simple majority of deputies of the National Congress,
violating a Constitutional clause that states that a two-
thirds majority in Congress must approve all international
agreements."

"A significant segment of deputies and other social groups
have condemned this decision, which makes clear the scarce
self-esteem and sovereignty of Honduras. It is time to show
our gratitude to the global superpowers with more dignity."

Palmer

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