US embassy cable - 04TEGUCIGALPA873

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000873 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR WHA/PDA, IIP/G/WHA, IIP/T/ES, AND WHA/CEN 
FOR PM, WHA/PPC, AND NEA/NGA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP, PREL, KPAO, PGOV, MOPS, HO 
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON IRAQ, APRIL 15, 2004 
 
 
1. Article in Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna" 
on 4/15 entitled "Sixth attack to Tegucigalpa Base." 
"Colonel Wilfredo Calderon Canales, commander of battalion 
Xatruch II, confirmed in a phone interview that the Honduran 
base in Najaf was attacked by unknown Iraqi forces on the 
afternoon of 4/14." 
 
"Colonel Calderon Canales said, `we're always alert, and we 
have reinforced our base to prevent other attacks.  I'm 
happy to say that there have been no injuries or material 
losses to our base'." 
 
2. Article in San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "Tiempo" on 
4/15 entitled "Troops would return from Iraq."  "Federico 
Breve, Minister of Defense, said that only if the conditions 
of the war in Iraq become intolerable, he would recommend 
the return of the Honduran troops." 
 
"Breve said, `If we believe the situation becomes 
intolerable, and it isn't possible for our troops to handle 
it properly, we'd recommend their return.  However, I think 
the current instability is only temporary.  We're convinced 
we'll complete our mission, and the troops will return once 
the authorization by Congress terminates in July'." 
 
3.  On 4/14, the news program "Abriendo Brecha" showed the 
second part of a series of reports from Iraq by Yuri Mora. 
The report focused on the work done by the 12 women soldiers 
who are part of Xatruch II battalion, and the fact that 
Honduras is the only Latin American country that has sent 
women to Iraq.  They are in charge of providing medical 
attention, patrolling, and other activities. 
 
Palmer