US embassy cable - 05TEGUCIGALPA2306

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002306 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT. FOR WHA/PD; IIP/G/WHA DIPASQUALE; AND IIP/T/ES 
DEPT. FOR EB/TPP DCLUNE, INL/LP, S/CT, WHA/PPC, AND WHA/CEN 
DEPT. PASS USTR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP, KPAO, SNAR, PTER, KCRM, HO 
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON DRUGS, GANGS AND TERRORISM, 
NOVEMBER 10, 2005 
 
 
1. On 09/03 the Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna" 
published an editorial entitled "Bottleneck."  "In one of 
the Latin television channels in the U.S. a series of 
reports about gangs in Honduras and Central America was 
transmitted, linking them to the group of terrorists from 
the Middle East that operate in Latin America.  The 
transmission isn't something that we should take lightly not 
only because of the consequences with the North American 
government but also because of the negative effects on 
tourism in these countries." 
 
"(In this series) We also learned that members of a U.S. 
House of Representatives Committee dedicated to combating 
illegal drug trafficking in Central America, are confident 
that `terrorists could use the narco-traffic paths in 
Central America to take advantage of the region's lack of a 
strong surveillance system to enter the U.S.'" 
 
"A declaration by Admiral Jeffrey Hathaway, a Coast Guard 
Officer in Cayo Hueso, caused alarm among the Congressional 
Members when he stated that `the authorities only 
confiscated 25% to 35% of the drugs destined for the U.S.' 
The confession produced a reaction in one of the 
Representatives who immediately related the entry of drugs 
with the danger that `terrorists could use this to enter the 
U.S. with weapons and destroy part of our cities.'" 
 
"The DEA Chief of Operations also admitted that the Central 
American countries are badly equipped to face the threat of 
narco-trafficking.  He stated that the corruptive power of 
these organizations within the Central American governments 
makes it difficult to organize successful efforts in the 
fight against drugs." 
 
"These declarations should not only grab the attention of 
the Honduran government but also deserve actions on their 
part." 
 
"These are powerful reasons to strengthen police and 
investigative institutions as well as other entities that 
fight organized crime, narco-trafficking and gangs.  The 
hitch being that these countries don't have enough resources 
to handle their own problems, even less to handle those who 
pass through to get to the other side." 
 
 
 
Ford