US embassy cable - 04TEGUCIGALPA966

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000966 
 
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 26, 2004 
 
 
1. Editorial in San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "Tiempo" 
on 4/24 entitled "Return of the troops."  "President Maduro 
has recently announced the return of the Honduran troops in 
Iraq, who were supposed to carry out humanitarian and 
reconstruction works in that country." 
 
"When the Honduran government took the decision to send 
troops to the Iraqi war, it was well aware of the risks 
involving this mission, because in a war everyone knows how 
it starts, but not how it ends.  Thus, no one should plead 
ignorance, and much less try to deceive others." 
 
"On this issue, there should be no speculations or attempts 
to manipulate public opinion." 
 
2. Op-ed by Mario Argueta in Tegucigalpa-based moderate 
daily "El Heraldo" on 4/24 entitled "The return."  "The 
Honduran government has taken an appropriate decision by 
ordering the return of the second contingent of Honduran 
troops that was sent to Iraq in February." 
 
"The decision of President Maduro, which was broadly 
supported by the national public opinion, is very 
convenient.  We should leave behind this adventure, and we 
expect our Armed Forces won't be required to interfere in 
the internal affairs of other countries that haven't 
requested our support." 
 
Palmer