US embassy cable - 05TEGUCIGALPA996

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000996 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT. FOR WHA/PD; IIP/G/WHA DIPASQUALE; AND IIP/T/ES 
DEPT. FOR PM AND EB/TRA 
DEPT. FOR WHA/EPSC, WHA/PPC AND WHA/CEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP, KPAO, PGOV, MASS, EAIR, EAID, HO 
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON JOINT U.S.-HONDURAN MILITARY BASE 
SOTO CANO/PALMEROLA, MAY 09, 2005 
 
 
1. On 05/09, the San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "Tiempo" 
carried an editorial entitled "Palmerola."  "For many years 
Comayagua's agricultural workers have asked the government 
to use the military airport of Palmerola for transporting 
their goods to the U.S. and other markets, in order to save 
costs and improve the quality of the exportations." 
 
"On the other hand, Palmerola is being considered an 
alternative as an international airport due to its proximity 
to the capital city." 
 
"President Maduro has ordered the start of negotiations to 
use it for commercial purposes, and, we suppose, without 
abolishing its military purpose." 
 
"We also have to be conscientious that the transformation of 
the military base into an international airport is not a 
perfect solution for Tegucigalpa and all the Western and 
Southern population of the country.  They have to establish 
a system that solves the time and transportation problem." 
 
"They have talked about building a highway which will cost 
more or less the same as the building of a new airport. 
That is without counting Inter Airport's contract, which has 
exclusivity for operation and management of all the 
commercial airports in the country." 
 
2. Comment: Post notes that contrary to this editorial, 
"negotiations" have not begun over the possible use of Soto 
Cano/Palmerola for civilian aviation, a though the Gott has 
broached the subject with the Embassy.  End Comment. 
 
Pierce