US embassy cable - 05TEGUCIGALPA1499

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001499 
 
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 DEBT FORGIVENESS, JULY 18, 2005 
 
 
1. On 7/17 the San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "La 
Prensa" published an op-ed by Anibal Delgado entitled "Debt 
Forgiveness Funds."  "To use debt forgiveness' freed funds 
correctly is a great challenge for Hondurans. Among all the 
accumulated problems of the last 50 years, which should be 
taken care of immediately?" 
 
"The decision is not easy but the social part should have 
consideration especially when, in the last years, the wealth 
concentration process has taken the state's attention from 
the poor. I'm proposing three matters that will confront 
society's biggest interests." 
 
"Eliminating hunger should be an essential matter. In 
Honduras there is hunger and many resources should be 
oriented to that. Water and environment should be another 
important one. And an efficient national health plan 
delivering system in the rural and urban areas." 
 
"I think that Honduras has a well-designed health system but 
sadly it has never been put into practice due to lack of 
resources and administrative capacity. But now that we have 
available resources we should start doing something about 
it." 
 
"Getting to debt forgiveness has been painful for the poor. 
They should be the priority." 
 
Tuebner