Cablegate: Media Reaction On the Visit of Cjcs General Richard

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

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001958

SIPDIS

FOR WHA/PD (OHILTON), WHA/CEN (TKELLY), PM, AND INL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP PREL KPAO MOPS PGOV SNAR HO IZ
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON THE VISIT OF CJCS GENERAL RICHARD
MYERS TO HONDURAS, AUGUST 18, 2003

1. Editorial in San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "La Prensa" on
8/16 entitled "A long promise". "If we carefully read the
statements of Richard Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff during his visit to Tegucigalpa, he didn't mention how he
will help Honduras in its fight against drug trafficking. He
simply stated that his government `will seriously consider' the
possibility of sending military equipment to support the Honduran
armed forces in the fight against this global threat, which
definitely affects the U.S. more than any country."

"When we hire a plumber to repair a water leak at home, the first
thing he does is to close the main valve, then the secondary
valves. When we talk about drugs, we all know the main valve is
located south of our continent, and the secondary ones are in
Central America, that is used as a bridge to transport coke and
heroin to the American market."

"Why doesn't the U.S. government control this flow of drugs?
Besides, drug traffickers evade the rigorous watch of U.S.
authorities and maintain a great supply in the flourishing market
of the Northern big cities."

"In addition, there isn't serious control on money laundering
coming from this illegal and dangerous activity. Even though we
see that some businesses grow in a surprising and enormous manner
in front of our very eyes, there isn't real control on these
activities."

"Surely, the DEA should collaborate extensively with the Honduran
authorities, but the lack of their support shouldn't be an excuse
for our security forces to give up on this fight. or just join
the drug trafficking party."

Pierce

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