US embassy cable - 04TEGUCIGALPA2580

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002580 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR WHA/PDA (OHILTON), WHA/CEN 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: OIIP, PREL, KPAO, PGOV, KDEM, HO 
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON THE U.S ELECTIONS, NOVEMBER 10, 
2004 
 
 
1. Op-ed by Vicente Machado (Honduran Ambassador in 
Colombia) in Tegucigalpa-based moderate daily "El Heraldo" 
on 11/10, entitled "Wink to Kerry, Smile to Bush."  "Senator 
John Kerry received a wink in the ballots, but victory 
smiled on President George Bush after the U.S. elections. 
It was what almost everyone expected, although some skeptics 
believed otherwise." 
 
"I was one of those who believed Bush was going to win for a 
simple reason: if the decision was to be taken by all those 
from abroad, the politician of Massachusetts would have won 
easily, but since the decision depended on the Americans, an 
outcome in favor of the Texan was predictable." 
 
"Right or wrong, the American electorate set an example that 
should be followed: vote for the candidate you think is best 
for your country.  Hondurans, who will elect our officials 
in 2005, should bear in mind that, at voting time or at any 
time, Honduras should come first, second and always." 
 
Palmer