US embassy cable - 05TEGUCIGALPA2285

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002285 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT. FOR WHA/PD; IIP/G/WHA DIPASQUALE; AND IIP/T/ES 
DEPT. FOR EB/TPP DCLUNE, WHA/EPSC, AND WHA/CEN 
DEPT. PASS USTR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP, KPAO, PREL, ETRD, HO 
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON MAR DE PLATA AND PRESIDENT BUSH, 
NOVEMBER 03, 2005 
 
 
1. On 11/03 the San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "Tiempo" 
ran an op-ed by Billy Pena entitled "Condemned."  "We have 
realized that the President of the United Stated is being 
universally condemned and we wonder how must he feel when he 
is rejected in his own country and in the rest of the world. 
We were amazed that on his trip to Mar de Plata, Argentina 
he will be escorted by two thousand men.  We think that it 
is humiliating that the Argentineans condemn his presence in 
their country.  It is considered that the U.S President is 
responsible for the genocide in Iraq and responsible also 
for FTAA, the payment of the external debt, militarization 
and poverty." 
"Another situation that is causing great controversy is the 
meeting between Bush and his adversary Hugo Chavez, 
president of Venezuela.  The ultra-conservative North 
Americans wish to see Chavez' head on a silver platter 
because they can't forgive the fact that, under Fidel 
Castro's warmth, he has directly confronted the North 
American government." 
"The environment in Mar de Plata is tense due to the 
presence of the North American president.  We would like to 
know who does the world prefer: George W. Bush or Hugo 
Chavez?  A survey could reveal the data and the results 
could surprise us all." 
"It must be difficult to feel rejected by the entire world. 
It must be hard to watch the U.S. Government's credibility 
crumbling with the scandals that exploded in Washington. 
Vice President Cheney walks a thin line since Libby resigned 
due to the delicate leak of information that endangered the 
national security of the U.S.  I imagine that the U.S. 
Congress will investigate Cheney and President Bush also. 
Was the invasion in Iraq justified?    That was President 
Bush's biggest mistake to invade Iraq alleging that Saddam 
had weapons of massive destruction that were never found. 
Was Bush lied to or was he the one who lied to justify the 
invasion?  We imagine that this entire situation will have 
to be investigated by Congress.    Meanwhile George W. Bush 
has become the most condemned man in the world.  Our own 
politicians should take notes." 
Williard