US embassy cable - 05TEGUCIGALPA1292

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001292 
 
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, EAID, HO 
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON MCC, JUNE 15, 2005 
 
 
1. The San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "La Prensa" 
published an editorial entitled "Compensation?"  "New 
reports have been flooding in and reactions towards them 
have multiplied, bringing about an optimistic ambience that 
could deviate attention on fundamental problems and wrap us 
up in an illusion that everything will be solved like 
magic." 
 
"The MCC signing of the $215 million donation on Monday in 
Washington and announcement of G-8 debt forgiveness to 18 
countries including Honduras has stirred up politicians and 
officials with promises to the weakest and most unprotected 
sectors. The debt forgiveness was not only fair but also 
necessary in order to face the heavy-weight social debt that 
the State, governments and political parties have with most 
of the Honduran population which have been promised on 
several occasions to be compensated for their sacrifices in 
the heavy and painful economic measures." 
 
"It's urgent to go to the root of the progressive and 
growing poverty for which we desperately need the resources 
from debt forgiveness. As much debt forgiveness as there 
should be, they won't be sufficient if there's no fight 
against corruption, populism, demagoguery, bureaucratic 
slowness and manipulating centralism." 
"This bitter lesson must serve as an experience not to 
falter and mire ourselves again. The opportunity to destine 
debt resources to fight against poverty must redirect 
governors in a new direction to assume responsibility 
towards poor sectors and push them to take the initiative to 
be the major figures of development and prosperity through 
work and not to wait for unemployment benefits." 
 
Pierce