Cablegate: Media Reaction On Unchr Resolution On Human Rights

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

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000855

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA, WHA/PD, WHA/CCA, WHA/PPC, AND WHA/CEN
STATE FOR DRL, DRL/MLA, IO, INR, AND IIP/G/WHA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KPAO PHUM PREL KDEM CU HO CHR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON UNCHR RESOLUTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
IN CUBA, APRIL 13, 2004

1. Op-ed by Julieta Castellanos in Tegucigalpa-based
moderate daily "El Heraldo" on 4/13 entitled "The aggression
towards Cuba." "The last foreign policy move has placed our
country in the disgraceful situation of becoming the
backyard of a powerful country. Public officials are losing
credibility, and nobody in Honduras or abroad believes this
decision is ours. The presidential decision pleases
Washington and the Cuban-American community, not the
Honduran nor the Cuban people."

"As the head of our foreign policy, the aggression towards
Cuba is the responsibility of President Maduro and his
government. It shouldn't be understood as an aggression of
the Honduran people towards Cuba."

2. Op-ed by Gaspar Vallecillo in Tegucigalpa-based moderate
daily "El Heraldo" on 4/13 entitled "The principles of
Maduro and human rights." "Maduro doesn't surprise us
anymore with his acts, and his constant attempts to tarnish
the international image of Honduras, confirming that we're
not identified with him in any way."

"The resolution on Cuba was the last reckless initiative of
the President. To say that he did it because of his
`principles' is another attempt to justify his imprudent
actions. What principles is he talking about, when our
human rights are being violated every day?"

"If he had any principles, he wouldn't have talked in the
name of the people he has persistently lied to. Maduro's
principles have offended us all."

Palmer

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