Cablegate: Media Reaction On Migration, June 24, 2003

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

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001485

SIPDIS

FOR PD/WHA (MBUCKLEY); IIP/G/WHA DIPASQUALE; EB/EPPD DCLUNE;
USTR AGASH
INFO IIP/T/ES
EMBASSIES FOR PAOS, IOs,

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP PREL KPAO IZ HO PA
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON MIGRATION, JUNE 24, 2003

1. Editorial on Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna"
on 6/24 entitled "Migration". "Negotiations on the migration
issue were conducted between the governor of New Mexico and
the Mexican President, Vicente Fox. President Fox believed
that, with Mexico being one of the U.S.'s closest neighbors,
the openness of the U.S. on the migration issue would be
without precedents. Migration was not at the top of
President Bush's To-Do list but it is one of the top
priorities for Mexico. Tensions and amicable feelings have
been on and off and recently it seems Mexico has been
distancing itself from the U.S., so much that Fox hasn't
contributed very much with the Bush Administration nor did
he support the U.S. campaign in Iraq."

"Resentment has grown between the two nations, yet it has
helped Fox since he rose and gained support from his
citizens by using the traditional bitterness already felt
for the U.S. Yet this antipathy can't continue if Mexico
wishes to continue with a Free Trade Agreement with the U.S.
close at hand. That is why the governor of New Mexico
visited Fox, to try to amend the tension between the two
countries. Honduras is included in the migratory topic
because if the U.S. is willing to reopen its doors for
Mexico then Honduras should take advantage of the
opportunity as well."

Palmer

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