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Daniel Lopez, new five star General

General Daniel Lopez Carballo received his fifth star from Presidential Designate William Handal, pictured on the General's right, during a special ceremony held last week. A total of 132 promotions were received, including that of the Chief of the Navy, Rolando Gonzalez Flores who was promoted to Admiral. The ceremony was attended by First Lady Mary Flakes de Flores, the Minister and Vice-Minister of Defense, Enrique Flores Valeriano and Marco Rosales Abella, the Minister to the President, Gustavo Alfaro, and members of the Armed Forces, amongst others.

New ways to fight high corruption levels proposed 

By BLANCA MORENO

Before the administration that created this organism finishes its term, the National Anti-Corruption Council presided by Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriguez published a document titled "Honduras: National Anti-Corruption Strategy, a participative process". 
The document states that according to research, the general population perceives corruption as one of the major scourges faced by Honduran society, and a real threat to the consolidation of democracy. In addition, it is a limitation in the reduction of poverty and national transformation efforts.

Currently, a strategy based on regional and sectorial consultations is being formulated with the purpose of reforming several sectors. In regards to the juridical frame, the document points out that the lack or weakness of an appropriate legal structure affects the democratic State, which is limited by unclear, unstable rules. Besides, there are many normative incoherences, and a diminished juridical security diminishes trust.

That is why it is so important to see the current legislative changes in its true dimension as a necessary component, but not as the only component in the development of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy. 

The commission expressed satisfaction that the National Congress approved the Nominating Board law oriented at electing candidates for Supreme Court Magistrates. 

The initiative supports the efforts of the Coalition for the Strengthening of Justice. It alerts of existing pressures that tend to frustrate the expectations of the Honduran people of converting the judicial power, and especially the Supreme Court of Justice, into an independent, transparent and efficient organ.

The implementation of the new Penal-Procedural Code and the approval and appliance of the Judicial Career law, is expected to fortify and consolidate the institutional system, while improving the quality of the administration of justice at all levels.

Additionally, the Council is requiring the approval -prior consensus- of an Immunities Law, aimed at regulating and limiting the exercise of articles 200 and 205 of the Republic's Constitution.

The latter, because of ongoing denouncements of abuse by some public functionaries, who cover themselves under the umbrella of immunity, and evade legal responsibilities.

Equal reporting of acts
The council also proposes reforms to the Electoral and Political Organizations Law, including the separation of the Persons' National Registration and the National Elections Tribune; the incorporation of plebiscite and referendum as direct popular consultation figures; the possibility of creating total and partial alliances among two or more political parties; control over political entities' incomes and expenses; changing the way congressmen and the presidential designates are elected; and eliminating the party's obligatory contribution applied to public functionaries.

The Council proposes civil society apply a permanent, systematic auditing of political parties. Moreover, it demands the creation of a special law that regulates the parties' financing issues, by establishing main financing criteria and a mixed system (public and private), with clearly defined amounts and limits for each kind of financing. This would reduce political commitments that distort democratic sense.

There is a consensus that in order to prevent corruption, society must be clear about the real role that is to be played by the State, the public powers and related entities. 

Concrete transparency and anti-corruption actions must be started inside the comptroller's office and other fiscal organs. Is imperative to institutionalize the culture of reporting expenses amongst public functionaries and private leaders (including those from ONG's). A generalized access to information on social and economic investment programs and projects is also important.

Next January 11, 2002, the Council will present the document concerning corruption with related recommendations to President Carlos Flores, and to the authorities that will govern the country from 2002 to 2006.

Minimum Wage Tripartite Commission sworn in 

The Minister of Labor, Rosa America Miranda swore in on Thursday the members of the Minimum Wage Tripartite Commission integrated by members of the labor unions, private enterprise and the government.

After the swearing in ceremony, Miranda explained that the last raise in minimum wage was 18.1 percent and that the current inflation indicator is 8.4 percent.  However, she said, the negotiations will be based on a socio-economic survey conducted by the Ministry of Labor in which the price of basic goods, consumer prices and the macroeconomic situation were taken into account. --La Prensa

Lps. 27,310 million national budget approved 

The members of the National Congress approved the national budget for the year 2002, summing a total amount of Lps. 27,310 million. 

According to the report offered to the press, Lps. 542 millions, which represent almost 20 percent of the funds, will come from foreign sources.  On the other hand, 48.8 percent of the budget is destined to social expenses, 12.5 percent will be invested in public works, 6.9 percent in defense and security, 13.8 percent in "productive expenses," 11.4 in government expenses and 3.7 percent will go to the public debt. --La Prensa 

Congressmen should not award themselves bonus    

The Minister to the President, Gustavo Alfaro stated on Thursday that the pretensions of some congressmen to award themselves a US$10,000 bonus for services rendered during the last four years is incorrect.  Alfaro also stated that in the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) there was recently a similar initiative that was suspended by the Central American Court of Justice. "Government employees are paid for their work, and I don't believe it is correct for them to go around looking for extra remuneration for services rendered to the State."--La Prensa

Bad weather temporarily closes airports 

On Thursday, bad weather conditions temporarily shut down some of Honduras' major airports.  The Tegucigalpa airport was closed in the morning due to the fog.  The airports in La Ceiba and Roatan also closed.  Weather authorities said that the adverse weather conditions were due to a cold front. --La Prensa

No visas for Hondurans suspected of money laundering 

Due to the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the Embassy of the United States in Honduras will cancel or deny visas to Hondurans suspected of having ties to money laundering, terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime.  The new measure went into effect in October after the U.S. congress approved the "patriotic law" and will be applied to all countries that have diplomatic relationships with the U.S. --La Prensa

Congress passes citizen cohabitation law

On Thursday the National Congress passed a new law that will give Municipal authorities, the Preventive Police Force and the Department of Investigations new power that will allow them to curb unruly citizen behavior more effectively.  The legislation regulates such items as ownership of pitbulls, gangs, alcoholic consumption until 10 p.m. on weekdays and 12 p.m. on the weekend, with the exception of tourism centers, such as bars and discotheques.   --La Prensa  
 

U.N. extrajudicial executions report held up 

The publication of the much awaited report concerning the murder of hundreds of Honduran children and young people, elaborated by the United Nations will be held up until March 2002.

Asma Jahangir, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions of the United Nations Commission Human Rights, visited Honduras for two weeks in August.

Jahangir, a lawyer, is also the founder of the Human Rights Commission in Pakistan, her homeland. Given the current situation, in Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan, her report concerning her Honduran visit won't be ready until the beginning of next year.

Meanwhile, the murder of Honduran children and young people continues. From January 1998 through November 2001, the Casa Alianza Legal Support Program has documented more than 984 deaths, 22 of them this last November.

"It is very disappointing that Honduran children will have to wait until next year for the U.N. report, but we understand the circumstances," stated Bruce Harris, Covenant House (Casa Alianza) Regional Director for Latin America. "We would have liked to have the report before the government changes, so that the Flores Administration would have had to respond to the horrendous levels of murder in Honduras during his term of office. But Casa Alianza is trying to establish better working relationships with the administration of President-elect Ricardo Maduro, and we hope the situation of children in Honduras improves significantly."

The Special District Attorney for Human Rights in Honduras, Aida Romero, informed police authorities last week that if they don't stop the murders, they also can be subject to criminal prosecution for not fulfilling their duties. According to data collected by Casa Alianza, in over 60 percent of the cases, police don't have enough information to identify the murderers of children and young people.

Profile of a Supreme Court Magistrate

By MARIA FIALLOS

TEGUCIGALPA — On December 17, a seminar/workshop titled The Supreme Court of Justice in the XXI Century was held in Tegucigalpa. The purpose of the workshop was so that different members of civil society would consensually elaborate a profile of a supreme court magistrate in accordance with the corresponding legal and ethical framework. The completed profile will be presented to the new congress in January when the time comes for them to elect the new magistrates. In this way, civil society contributes and participates in the election of new magistrates and also in the current process of judicial reform.

The event was organized by the Law Faculty of the National University together with the Coalition for the Strengthening of Justice, and was amply attended by various sectors of civil society. The Coalition itself is comprised of representatives from different organizations, including the Association of Municipalities (AHMON), the Center for Human Rights (CIPRODE), the Episcopalian Conference, the Human Rights Commissioner and the National University, amongst others. Also present were representatives of the Public Ministry, the press and National University Rector, Ana Belen Castillo.

Three interesting lectures were given during the workshop and an initial profile that has been in elaboration since August was distributed among the participants. Afterwards those present were divided into groups to discuss and elaborate on the preliminary document. The final profile includes the following characteristics and requisites agreed upon:

Ethics and Morals: Just, a magistrate should have the virtue of treating everyone in accordance with their condition and giving everyone just treatment; Equanimity, serene in their judgement; Defender of constitutional rights, recognized and constant defense of constitutional rights and guarantees; Impartial, uses neutral authority in passing judgement; Independent, be aware of the independence of the Judicial Power and ready to constantly promote it; Tactful and firm, in behavior and speech; Honorable, extremely responsible with respect to family, the state, justice, themselves and all other aspects of their lives; Honest, a man or woman who can be trusted and reasonably just; Incorruptible, never have been involved in any illegal act, or have tolerated any either; Apolitical, without prejudicing their right to belong to a political party, without have been an activist; dedicated to truth; possess a solid reputation; respectable; objective; responsible and a possessor of leadership qualities.

Intellectual qualities: Academic researcher; civic vocation; professional experience in juridical institutions; analytical; capacity to reason in a logical, concrete, and abstract manner in accordance with juridical norms; be a humanist; completely understandable oral and written expressive capacities; professional capacity, the magistrate should be a continuous student of Honduran and international laws; cultured; author of juridical essays and other works.

At the present time, there are 169 nominees for the position of supreme court magistrate. 120 of these were nominated by organizations pertaining to the Coalition for the Strengthening of Justice, the remaining 49 nominated themselves. In January, this number will be reduced to 45 by the official nominating board, from which the new national congress will choose 15 on January 25.


Results of multi-purpose survey published

By ROSIBEL PACHECHO DE GUTIERREZ

The National Statistics Institute (INE) in conjunction with the Office of the Presidency published this past September the Thirteenth Multiple Purpose Permanent Survey of Homes.

This valuable document provides interesting, comprehensive indicators that cover many aspects of Honduran society: population, housing, the labor market, child labor, child health, income and poverty.

The objectives of the survey were to obtain information concerning the general characteristics of the population as well as the those of rural and urban housing situation. Also surveyed were employment, sub-employment and unemployment rates as well as individual and household incomes.

Concepts used for the survey include: the period of reference for measuring employment, sub-employment and unemployment as the month previous to the field work. Housing was defined as a structure used for human habitation during the period of reference. A home or household is where one or more persons, related or not, reside and contribute to a common fund to cover the expense of food and other basic necessities.

The population of working age is the group of people who are 10 years old or older. The economically active population is the group of persons 10 years old or older who are either in an employed or unemployed situation.

Unemployed are persons who are openly unemployed, who have lost their jobs and are looking for a new one, or are trying to set up their own business or farm; and those who are looking for a job for the first time.

Sub-employed are persons who because of some anomaly in the labor market work less hours a week than normal and are paid less than the conventional limit and who would have liked to have worked more.

Relevant Results:
The estimated national population is 6,340,009 persons. 47 percent of the population lives in an urban area, while 53 percent lives in the rural area. 48.9 percent are men and 51.1 percent are women. 

1,234,017 houses were estimated in the survey. Of these, 9.9 percent lack of basic water services, only 50.9 percent has potable water and 28 percent lack electricity. The average size of a home or household is five persons. Of the 1,258,299 total homes estimated, 15.2 percent live in crowded conditions, in other words, more than three people live in one room. In the rural area this number increases to 19 percent.

The Departments of Atlantida, Colon, Cortes and Francisco Morazan (in ascending order) receive the most rural immigrants. The Departments of Copan, La Paz, Santa Barbara and Valle were found to be the places where the most people immigrated from.

The labor market numbers an estimated 4,590,723 working age persons, in the Central District, 55.9 percent of the population and 56.7 percent in San Pedro Sula. The economically active population was estimated at 2,437,997 persons.

Of the economically active population, 2,334,596 are employed and 103,401 unemployed. The Central District has a 7% unemployment rate and 11.5 invisible unemployment rate. San Pedro Sula has an 7.4% open unemployment rate and a 6.7 percent invisible unemployment rate.

These results are being used as a source of information for researchers and planners. This and other publications of the National Statistics Institute publications can be acquired at www.ine.oneline.hn

Honduran coffee from Marcala wins award

Don Adan Coffe, a brand of coffee grown and produced in Marcala, La Paz recently won First Place among the “Top Award Winners” given by the United States Association of Special Coffee for its quality and good taste. The manager of the Honduran Coffee Institute, Juan Jose Osorto, stated that it is necessary Honduran coffee producers export their grains to high quality markets instead of depending on international stock market prices. The Honduran coffee production is in danger of disappearing due to low international prices. —La Prensa

IMF predicts bleak panorama in Central America for 2002

The possibility of economic recovery, particularly in Latin America, is uncertain for the year 2002, the International Monetary Fund announced on Tuesday. A bleak panorama is predicted due to the falling economy of industrialized nations, and the subsequent effect on business and investor confidence. It is estimated that the world economy will only grow 2.4 percent in 2002, the same amount as 2001. For Latin America, the economic growth rate will only be 1.7 percent, 1.9 percent less than predicted before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Technology and tourism will be the sectors most affected by the recession, followed by the petrol and other raw materials industries that were already weakening before that fateful day. —El Heraldo

Maduro promises not raise taxes

An increase in sales tax or any other tax would be “a highly regressive social step and is unacceptable,” stated President-elect Ricardo Maduro on Tuesday. In a press conference, Maduro completely denied rumors that the International Monetary Fund is pressuring a 6 percent rise from the current 12 percent to 18 percent. Maduro also said, any agreement reached with IMF will be made in accordance with the needs of the Honduran people. —La Prensa

Interairports fined US$ 10,000

The Superintendency of Concessions and Licenses imposed a US$ 10,000 fine on Interairports, the company in charge of managing all of Honduras’ international airports, for violating the 9.5 clause of the Concession Contract, which establish the company’s obligation to consult with the Aeronautic Authorities. —La Tribuna


Congressmen want to import another duty-free vehicle

The national party substitute congressman, Rutilio Finlander Alvarado, presented this week a constitutional reform to Article 204-97, with the purpose of allowing each current congressman to import another duty-free vehicle before the end of this Congress’ term in January. Article 204-97 as it stands now allows congressmen to import a work vehicle duty free every two years. This Congress however, wants a third car. —La Tribuna
 

Anthrax in Honduras? to date none has been found

By RAMON BERMUDEZ
Special to HTW

(First of two parts)

Anthrax is an infectious, fast and fatal disease that attacks animals, especially cattle. It is less frequent and is considered an accidental guest in human beings. Here are some of the most common questions about anthrax:

Is there anthrax in Honduras?
Fortunately, anthrax has not been found in Honduras. However, it is present in other countries on the American continent. The bacillus responsible for the disease has been searched for since 1954 by FAO and PAHO experts, who have come to our country several times as international consultants, but have never been able to find it.

Anthrax exists in most continents and nations. In the United States, it has been found in South Dakota, Nebraska, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and California, and to a lesser extent in other states.

What produces anthrax?
Anthrax is produced by the Bacillus Anthraces, a bacteria with peculiar traits that protect it from the environment. It is so small, that no common filter can contain its flow.

Also known as hematic anthrax or malign edema, the respiratory form affects the ganglions that are located between lungs. Among people, it is called the sheepshearer’ disease. When it is caught through skin wounds, it causes injuries called malign pustules.
Anthrax in domestic animals is usually deadly and attacks mostly cows, horses, sheep and pigs, which suffer sudden death. It can also attack dogs, cats and all warm blooded animals at a smaller scale. 

How do animals and human beings get anthrax?
There are three main forms of infection. The cutaneous form is the most common one among human beings. The disease is transmitted when a small wound makes contact with blood, tissue, skin, wool, leather, hair or bone flour from infected animals. If the farmland contains contaminated spores, and the disease is caught there, people talk about a “telluric disease.”

The inhalation form of contagiousness happens when animal material containing anthrax spores is inhaled during industrial and working processes, especially wool, hair, bristle and leather. Lung symptoms are not specific, and they are similar to a common respiratory infection fever which becomes more and more complicated until death occurs. This form has become more important recently, as spores have been sent by mail by terrorists.

Ingestion anthrax happens when one eats contaminated animal meat that is not well cooked. The oral via is rare in humans, but is the most common one among animals fed with bone or meat flour and pastures containing anthrax spores.

What is a spore?
Some bacteria protect themselves from unfavorable environmental conditions such as heat, acid soils, desiccation and chemical substances, by forming very resistant spores. When conditions improve, bacillus can get out of their capsules and abandon their spore status to undertake their multiplying activity again. 

In addition to anthrax, there are other spore forming bacterial diseases: tetanus, botulism and gaseous gangrenous, for example.
Substances such as chlorine and bleach are used to destroy spores in fabrics, instruments, equipments, harness and stalls.
In favorable conditions, spores can survive on the land for many years; these areas are called “cursed fields.” The animal bodies that died from anthrax should not be opened, since this would lead to the creation of thousands of resistant spores.

What experts recommend is to dig a deep grave and incinerate the dead animals, excretes, straw and any other contaminated material. The veterinarian knows how to take and pack with no risks the samples that will be sent to the lab for a diagnosis.

What are the main symptoms of anthrax?
Animal that develop the acute form of the disease start walking insecurely, suffer fever, respiratory disorders, trembling, anxiety, collapses, convulsive movements and then death comes quickly. Blood may come out of the body’s natural holes (nose, mouth, anus).

Chronic anthrax is characterized by an edematous, subcutaneous tumefaction that is usually located, even when it has a large extension, on the neck, thorax and shoulders. Lymphatic ganglions have a jelly aspect. The animal’s corpse decomposes fast, blood is blackish and it does not coagulate easily.

Human beings are generally attacked through the skin, and at a lesser extent by way of the respiratory and digestive systems. Cutaneous anthrax starts with itching on the exposed surface, preferably the head, neck, forearms and hands. A papule is formed next, which then turns into a vesicula. Two to six days later, a blackish, sunken scab appears, sometimes surrounded by smaller secondary vesiculas. It is interesting to remember that even after antibiotic treatment, skin injures keep on suffering the typical changes.

The respiratory form of anthrax causes inflammation of the ganglions located between lungs. This is called mediastinitis. 

Great expectations for Ricardo Maduro's new Nationalist government

By BLANCA MORENO

Only days before the new government takes office, the Honduran people hold a wide range of expectations. However, what worries them the most, is how the Maduro administration will make its "Zero Tolerance" promise come true.

No wonder. Currently, five people are held kidnapped, while seven assaults, some of them including other crimes, are reported every day. Street and bank robberies seem endless, the police simply haven't been able to stop this crime wave.

At the centrally located El Prado neighborhood in Tegucigalpa, a watchman sexually abused a young woman who had arrived from the country's western region to work as domestic employee. His boss reported the crime to the police. The next day, the violator's brother knocked on his door and told him that they knew where his children go to school, and at what time they get out every day.

After such threat, the man had no choice but to stop all legal actions, and preferred to send the girl back to her hometown. But she went back in a different condition: raped and damaged, because there is no security from authorities.

Squatters take possession of private property on a regular basis, and local authorities never seem to reach an agreement and take action, they just don't understand each other.

In the economic field, pessimism abounds, mainly due to the fact that the U.S. Congress approved a law that will eliminate many of the benefits derived from the Latin American textile industry. Honduras will be one of the most affected countries, since this measure will generate thousands of unemployed workers of the maquila sector, especially on the north coast region.

The same thing happens in the social area. Poverty is on the rise. Teachers, nurses and doctors keep on pressuring for betters salaries; campesinos pressure for loans to make land produce and workers pressure for a raise in the minimum wage.

From the political point of view, the situation is hard. The National Party did not win a majority in the National Congress, therefore it will be necessary to "negotiate" with the other parties many reforms planned by Maduro. 

The current president of the Congress, who is the loosing candidate as well, Rafael Pineda Ponce, has already announced a strong opposition to the new government.

In other words, the challenge faced by the elected president, Ricardo Maduro, is to fulfill the people's expectations. People hopes that the "Zero Tolerance" policies reach all levels equally: Corruption fighting, and a clean staff. Otherwise, there will be major disappointment. The first 100 days of work will be key to the new government's image. Currently, we are all waiting to see the "faces" that will accompany Maduro in his four-year long administration.

TPA project detrimental 

By BLANCA MORENO

The government of Honduras, through its Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs, Roberto Flores Bermudez, will start to lobby in the United States, in an attempt to convince President Bush not to sanction the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) law project. Such a law would not allow maquilas to finish and dye U.S. fabrics. The president of the Maquiladores Association of Honduras, Jesus Canahuati, explained that as a way to compensate this new restriction, the United States offered to double the export quota of all regional textiles. This offer is not welcomed by the maquiladores. Last year, the initial quota set by the U.S. customs reached around 250 million pounds of textiles per year, which means this number would increase to 500 million pounds. 

The maquiladores consider this export quota a limiting factor to the industry's growth, for which reason they will try to convince Washington to reconsider such decision, and to expand the national textile quota. Even though at the present time the region does not have the capacity to produce those 500 million pounds per year, maquiladores don't think such proposal is fair either.

By pre-determining these quotas, the most affected country is Honduras. According to Canahuati, we produce 60 percent of all the clothes exported from Latin American to the United States. In 1999, Honduras ranked second in world in terms of clothes exports to that nation. Moreover, operations among the ten textile companies that have been working in finishing and dyeing American textiles in Honduras will be seriously affected.

"The prohibition will also affect American weavers, who are firmly requesting the U.S. Congress give this benefit back to these countries. This can be another point in our favor," added Canahuati.

Meanwhile, other countries from Central America and the Caribbean are also involved in heavy lobbying in Washington against the law. Local producers hope that the increased pressure will produce a favorable agreement.

Three regional banks form alliance

The Banco Industrial of Guatemala, Banco Ficohsa of Honduras and El Salvador's Banco Salvadoreno have formed a unique alliance in Central America. For the first time, banks from different countries will offer similar services to clients from partner banks in the other country. The linked banks will also offer on-line services for their clients in this pioneering new project. -La Tribuna

330 human rights violations by police reported this year

The District Attorney's Office for Human Rights has received 330 complaints concerning police violation of human rights this year. Of these, 35 were disregarded because of lack of evidence. 85% of the cases were against members of the National Police Force in Tegucigalpa in San Pedro Sula. Only in five cases did violators receive prison sentences. D.A. Aida Romero stated that since the Criminal Investigation Office (DGIC) was transferred from the Public Ministry to the Ministry of Security, it is harder to resolve these cases successfully. -La Tribuna

Robbers get away with Lps.5 million

Between four and five million lempiras were stolen by thieves who broke into the administrative offices of the King Star maquila in Bufalo, Villanueva on Monday. According to Henry Fransen, the director of the Maquila Association stated that the large amount of cash was on hand to pay employees their weekly salary, vacations and even some severance payments. King Star closed operations the next day.-La Tribuna

"The big fish has a big lawyer who knows the big judge."

These were the words of Richard Werksman, U.S. representative of the Department of State concerning corruption in Honduras. Werksman was in Honduras giving an anti-corruption seminar after which he held a press conference at the American Embassy. He also stated that imprisoning public employees for corruption is not an accurate measure against it due to the fact that many times we don't have a system that backs up the accusations and consequent jail sentences. He also stated that civil society needs to have a more active role in choosing public employees as well as more control over government spending. Country's that are trying to strengthen their economy and democracy need to have long-term anticorruption strategic plans.-La Prensa

Honduras will preside Association of Caribbean States

Honduras will receive from Barbados the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the Association of Caribbean States for the year 2002. Objectives for next year include: a free trade agreement between Sica, Sistema de Integracion Centroamericana and Caricom, Comunidad del Caribe; creation of a Caribbean sustainable tourist zone and adoption of the CST, Certification de Sostenibilidad Turistica (Sustainable Tourism Certification) in a generalized manner for the whole region so as to utilize the same quality control and offer multiple destinations; amongst others. -La Prensa.

President Flores vetoes Popular Bank bill

After several days of consideration, President Flores vetoed a bill passed by Congress in October for the creation of the Popular Bank. The initiative was a project presented by Congressional President Rafael Pineda Ponce during his campaign for President. While the bill was well received by small businesses, international lending institutions and the business sector in general expressed serious reservations concerning creation of this bank. Aimed at benefiting small and medium sized producers with different types of financing, the project would have required half a billion lempiras just to start up in March 2002. The Minister to the President, Gustavo Alfaro stated that President Flores did not want to compromise the present government in this manner without the approval of president-elect Ricardo Maduro. -La Prensa

Honduras and USA commemorate anniversary of terrorist attack

The U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa hosted a special ceremony to commemorate the third month anniversary of the fatal terrorist attacks occurred last September 11 in that northern nation. 

By SUYAPA CARIAS

The ceremony began at 7:46 a.m. Honduras time, the very exact moment when the first airplane crashed into New York World Trade Center Tower Number One three months ago. 

On the windy, sunny morning of December 11th, representatives of the U.S. and Honduran governments, members of the diplomatic corps and special guests gathered at the American Embassy in Tegucigalpa to commemorate the third month anniversary of the terrorists attacks that marked the beginning of a new, historic war.

The short, yet meaningful event took place in response to a request made in this regard by U.S. President, George W. Bush to the countries around the globe. 

"We must remember that the murders of September 11 are not a consequence of a religion, but are actually acts of evil, cowardice and cold blooded murders," said U.S. Embassy's Deputy Chief of Mission Paul Trivelli, who presided the ceremony. 

"Together this morning, we are sending a message to terrorists throughout the world, that the forces of civilization have not forgotten the horror of the attacks occurred in the city of New York, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania against innocent citizens." Meanwhile, Honduran Foreign Affair Minister, Roberto Flores Bermudez qualified the ceremony as a "renovated gesture of solidarity", and encouraged the international community to keep on working in fighting terrorism. The ceremony included the national anthems of both countries sung by the young members of the UNITEC choir, as well as a spiritual message of peace, and forgiveness and generosity by the Papal Nuncio.

Among the thousands of people from 80 nations that lost their lives that day were four Hondurans: Helena Garcia Cook, a 23 year-old who worked for General Telecom; Digna Rivera de Constanza who worked at the 100th floor of Tower Number One; Claudia de Foster, a Cantor & Fitzgerald employee; and Griselda Garo James. A fifth Honduran, Felipe David, suffered major burns and has been hospitalized since September 11.

Who, what to blame for defeat?

By BLANCA MORENO

The mandate of the Honduran people as to who will be the next President of Honduras is overwhelming: Ricardo Maduro Joest, from the National Party, is ahead of Liberal Party's Rafael Pineda Ponce by nine points. But it won't be until December 22, when the National Election Tribune (TNE) will make the official declaration.

What is interesting after the election process, is the reaction of the defeated ones. They blame each other, and some even blame all of them, but they say a thing. Meanwhile, 33 percent of registered abstentionism is worrisome.

But just like the La Tribuna daily editorial said the day after the loss, "when the people decide who their governors will be while exercising their will, they don't punish, or award, but rather choose among those who better meet their interests and state of mind."

The losing candidate admitted his defeat, five hours after trends were pointing at Maduro as the winner. "We recognize Maduro's victory; my respect to his party and all its directors."

The causes of failure are many, but analysts and column writers of the Liberal Party agree in the following points: After two consecutive periods in power, the Liberal Party has worn out itself, and a third victory was impossible; The candidate of the Liberal Party was unable to unify his political institution, because the different movements inside of it never joined forces; According to the former candidate to Tegucigalpa's Mayor Office, Marco Antonio Andino, there was too much disorganization, because everyone was making decisions as if they were dealing with a ranch. Pineda Ponce was incorrectly advised by his party's leaders, in terms of carrying out a confrontational publicity campaign, that was taken advantage of by his adversary, who cleverly offered a message of hope. Once the nationality problem had been solved, there was no need to keep on "hammering" on that figure. The best example is Jose Azcona Hoyo, whose own political mates turned him into a victim by saying he was Spanish.

Rather than reorganizing their party, candidates don't want to make room for others; Before losing, five politicians wanted to run for the presidency; People have learned how to vote, they can now choose congressmen from any party, as well as the candidate they prefer; The latter tell us that future candidates will have to "work on the electors" with new strategies, and not under the same "umbrella."

Transportation and electric subsidies approved by National Congress

The President of the Energy Commission, Jack Arevalo Fuentes announced that the National Congress approved 280 million lempiras for electric subsidy and 150 million for the transportation for next year's budget. Arevalo also stated that Congress will ratify the Electricity Interconnection Treaty between Central American countries so as to assure supply over the next few years. -El Heraldo

Pitbull claims another victim

Despite their bad reputation, some people still insist upon keeping pitbulls, a dangerous breed of dogs that has claimed several lives in Honduras. The latest was Ernesto Capsula Carias, an 84 year-old senior citizen, who slipped and fell on the dog, which immediately attacked and killed him after tearing out a piece of his throat. Don Ernesto's grand-daughter's were also bitten when they tried to defend him. -El Heraldo

City Hall issues building permits near Los Laureles

According to Clarissa Vega, while the Ministry of Environment and the National Water Service as well as other international organizations are taking measures to protect the area around the Los Laureles dam in Tegucigalpa, the Municipal government is issuing building permits in the area. Vega stated that she will take the issue up with the competent judicial authorities and if necessary, petition these projects be abandoned. -El Heraldo

Ethnic groups will have their own government office

As of Wednesday, the Ministry of Government and Justice opened a new office with the sole purpose of representing afro-Hondurans and indigenous peoples. The project was financed by the World Bank and will serve these ethnic groups in as much as legal actions and group activities. -La Prensa

Four more bank fusions

The President of the National Industry Association, Adolfo Facusse, stated this week upon hearing about the possible acquisition by Inprema (Instituto Nacional de Prevision del Magisterio) of 51% percent of the Capital Bank and Insurance Company, that he foresees at least four more bank fusions in the near future. He said that many banks instead of lending monies too third parties are lending rather to their own employees, leading to a lack of objectivity in this market. He also said however, that he is confident in the Association avoiding further bankruptcies. -La Prensa

150 policemen fired in La Moskitia

Gautama Fonseca, the Minister of Security announced on Wednesday that all the policemen stationed in the Department of Gracias a Dios were fired and will receive dishonorable discharges. Gracias a Dios is a remote area that is only accessible by boat or by plane in which international drug traffickers operate almost openly. Fonseca has been cleaning up the Honduran police force in an attempt to fight the rising crime rates as well as rampant corruption. -El Heraldo

Marco Caceres, the man behind projecthonduras.com

Marco Caceres

By SUYAPA CARIAS

Three years ago, Marco Caceres decided to take enough time out of his busy agenda as an air space market consultant, to crystallize an idea that had been floating in his mind for a long time: create a practical mechanism aimed at helping his native country, Honduras. Marco's family moved to the United States when he was only four years old, as his father, surgeon Marco Caceres, had the opportunity to travel and undertake specialized studies. 

Afterwards, the Caceres established themselves in that nation. Over the years, Marco realized that there is a large number of talented Hondurans or American-Hondurans who work or study in many different cities and towns. He also met professional compatriots who were anxious to help their people, like surgeon Nahim Nasrrala, who came back after retiring and now offers his expertise in a Christian hospital in Siguatepeque.

Convinced that there was something he could do, Marco came up with the idea of organizing a structure to identify all the friends of Honduras around the world, with the purpose of coordinating efforts to help meet some of the many social and economic needs faced in this country. In order to do so, he first dedicated many hours to do reading and researching. 

"If I can analyze the airspace market, I can sure analyze Honduras," thought the Washington resident. One day, he met economist Paulina Bendaña, a strategy planner from the Boeing company, who turned out to be Honduran as well. She along with Honduran Jessica Villeda, became the project's co-founders. 

"When I hear people say that Hondurans are lazy by nature, I say that it is not true. I believe is not a matter of blood, but actually the lack of opportunities that prevail in the country," says Marco.

Marco and her mates were discussing ideas when Hurricane Mitch hit Honduran soil. The response of the catracho community made him feel even more impressed. "I saw so many Hondurans working along with the Embassies, packing food and carrying boxes for weeks. Most of them seemed humble. So I kept thinking of a way to gather them all, the ones with resources with those without them to make things happen." 

Finally, Marco found in the internet the best tool to take his project to fruition. In December 1998, the projecthonduras.com online portal was born. "It's like a light outside of the country that works in establishing links between all those people and organizations that have interests in Honduras," he explains.

"We believe that Honduras possesses considerable and diverse untapped human resources abroad...it is this scattered body of people that we feel is potentially one of our greatest resources and we are trying to bring to together in practical, positive, and creative ways."

Called by his author an "unconventional movement", projecthonduras.com is legally sponsored by the Special Missions Foundation, a non-profit organization of Georgetown, Texas. The website is divided into seven sections: the homepage, what's hot, network, business&aidwatch, projects, links and openforum. While the network displays a table providing e-mail addresses, the projects section offers hard information on ongoing development projects in Honduras or leads for new ones.

So far, Marco feels optimistic about the outcome of his cybernetic entity. "More than a thousand people are in contact every week. I receive around 100 e-mails per day." Moreover, projecthonduras.com has held two successful in person conferences in 2001 and 2002. "It very is important to be responsive," says Marco. For more information, get on line, contact Marco or Jessica and found out much more!

Ricardo Maduro wins election

Now President-elect Ricardo Maduro casts his ballot on November 25, 2001.

By BLANCA MORENO

TEGUCIGALPA - National Party presidential candidate, Ricardo Maduro, was the unquestionable winner of the country's general elections held on November 25, in defeat of Liberal Party candidate Rafael Pineda Ponce.

Liberal party presidential candidate and President of the National Congress, Rafael Pineda Ponce on election day.

Nevertheless, four days after the vote counting began, there is still uncertainty on how the future National Congress will be conformed. Some supposedly elected mayors won the election by as few as ten votes.

Sunday's elections turned into a real civic festivity. From 4 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the 11,075 ballot boxes were closed nationwide, people kept flowing towards the voting centers.

The first irregularities heard on the media came from people who didn't appear on the lists, and others who couldn't vote because they appeared as being dead.

The observers of the Organization of American States expressed their satisfaction with the election process that took place in Honduras. The only formal complaint they received was National Election Tribune's (TNE) refusal to register National Party Luis Cosenza as a congressional candidate instead of Elizabeth Zuniga de Mazariegos, who resigned only two days prior to the elections. Later in the week, Cosenza was registered.

Results began to be seen around 6 p.m. At 10 p.m., at the National Party headquarters, Maduro proclaimed himself the victor. Two hours later, Rafael Pineda Ponce, accompanied by his closest collaborators, admitted his defeat.

At this point, the TNE hasn't offered global results, and the only clear thing is that Maduro has a ten point advantage over Pineda. The latest computer report registers one million 313 thousand 152 votes, out of which 52.94 percent belong to the National Party, 43.51 percent to the Liberal Party, and the rest belong to the Christian Democratic Party of Honduras, the National Innovation and Unity Party (PINU) and the Democratic Unification (UD) party.

The Liberal Party -which claims to be the largest one- has attributed its defeat to abstentionism, which reached 34 percent. 

In the meantime, a transition commission is organizing Ricardo Maduro's presidential inauguration scheduled for January 27. The National Congress is comprised of 128 seats, the National Party won 63, the Liberal Party 55, and remaining ten went to the smaller parties.

Election results cause turmoil in Trujillo, Colon

By WENDY GRIFFIN

TRUJILLO - Hondurans call the elections a civic fiesta. The party part was felt mostly the weekend before the elections, when sound trucks went by my house playing songs that were impossible to understand. Election day itself was quiet because of ley seca, a dry law prohibiting the sale of alcohol Saturday and Sunday. This was to prevent deaths that used to be caused by people drinking after voting and getting into machete fights.

Elections start early here. On the way to 6:30 am mass, there were already people lined up to vote at the school near my house. Coming back from church, trucks and taxis were out picking up people to take them to the polls. These people actually came to your house and asked what time they should pick you up. Even with this kind of service, about 40% of the voters in some districts did not vote.
At 9:00 a.m. there were still only a few Garifunas out voting, but there was a great deal of activity a block away. Sunday is the day the national lottery or chica plays. Some Garifunas spend Lps.200-300 a week on tickets. People go into debt, sell their personal things to buy chica. Only after we knew that 06 had played could people focus on other things like the election.

Since the general feeling was that Maduro would win, the only interesting race here was the mayor's race. Honduran's do not vote directly for congressmen. Depending on how many votes the presidential candidate got, the congressmen on his slate are voted into office.

I asked people questions like do you know who is the candidate for mayor? They answered things like "No, do you?" One man knew who the candidate was for his party, but he did not know he could vote separately for mayor from a different party. 

This is the second election that people could vote separately for mayor. Voting continued quietly through the day. People could follow national elections on TV. Elections used to be a huge party-like affair, because everyone in the muncipio or county had to come to the county seat to vote. This year was the second election with home vote, where people could vote in their own communities. Between that and the dry law, the beaches of Trujillo were dead, although it was a beautiful sunny day.

When the polls closed, each electoral table was required to count the votes in from of the representatives of each political party.

Their presence was important. One woman reported that at her table, they tried to put two votes for PINU in the Mayor's race as part of the nationalist vote. After counting, each table is required to make an official report. Some communities had no phones and had no way to turn in the reports until morning.
At 9:30 at night, the presidential elections were known, followed by the screaming and the car's honking Maduro's victory. He had come to Trujillo after the passing of Hurricane Michelle to see the damage here and in Santa Rosa de Aguan. He met people on the main street in Cristales, a Garifuna neighborhood.

The troubles began the day after elections. At 6 a.m. a sound truck went around thanking people for their support for a Nationalist victory. At 10 a.m. a sound truck was traveling through Cristales saying the nationalist candidate had won. But not half an hour later I was told that the central table for voting had signed an act saying the Liberal candidate had won.

A recount was called. This was done by looking at the acts of each electoral table, not by recounting votes. Soldiers surround the area where the recount was held. The recount took all day and long into the night.

Several anomalies appeared. Some of the acts had erasure marks on them. Some were in pencil which is illegal. The PINU candidate won 52 votes at one table, but then someone took white-out and erased the two so that in place it said five votes were cast for him, but in words it said 52 votes were cast for him. People were surprised that the small parties were reported as having no votes, at least they should have one from the representative of that party at the table. One electoral table had over 600 voters, while it is doubtful there that many people eligible to vote in the area that did.

The results were not made official because of problems. The reports were "impugnados," that is they had some problem and were not accepted as true. But caravans of trucks went through the city shouting Ovando, Ovando, the National candidate's name.

The doubtful results will go to Tegucigalpa where the National Tribunal of elections will make determinations. The votes of those tables will not be sent, so there will not actually be a "recount." Who will be the next city council men also depends on the mayor's race. For example if the Christian Democrat candidate for Mayor got so many votes to be mayor, he will lose as Mayor, but he will be able to be city councilmen. 

No one believes that this turmoil is caused because any candidate is interested in repairing the city streets, collecting the garbage, making sure the water reaches the homes, being honest about giving land titles, or implementing President Maduro's plan against crime. The most common cited reason for this in-fighting is the 4% export tax that Trujillo receives on everything that leaves from Puerto Castilla. Everyone asks What happens to that money? Look at the street, the garbage, etc. Even the one half street that was paved this year prior to the elections was paved by the central government through FHIS.

When people commented on the election problems, some were afraid that violence would break out. Others just smiled and said, "See, it is just like Florida".

After 108 years, liberals win the mayor's office in Copan Ruinas

By PATRICIA I. HANDAL COPAN RUINAS - An 108 year old tradition was overthrown on Sunday, when a young Liberal agricultural engineer, Mauricio Arias Aquino, won the mayoral election in the municipality of Copan Ruinas. 

Mauricio Arias Aquino (36), a member of a local family that has been linked to the Liberal Party for a long time, is the one man who could change the political face of a community that has suffered from the indifference of its local authorities for many years. 

According to the National Election Tribune (TNE), Arias Aquino won 36 out of the 52 ballot boxes opened on that rainy November 25, with 5,784 votes cast his favor, while the former nationalist candidate lost with 4,828 votes.

The red-white-red party also bit the National Party in the election for president, with 5,438 votes against 5,214. After hearing the news, the elected Mayor said that as soon as he takes office, he will request a detailed audit on how former administrations have been managing the community's funds. In the last few years, there have been multiple complaints concerning the possible deviation of funds.Mauricio Arias Aquino is married to Maria Eugenia Aviles and has three children. With his historic victory, the people of Copan Ruinas expect to have clean streets and clean municipal finances. They also wish for him to promote the regional tourism development, and to carry out social projects, especially in the more isolated communities.

Maduro promises he will not sweep bureaucrats out

Much to the relief of government employees, President-Elect Ricardo Maduro announced this week that he is not planning on cleaning house when his term of office begins in January. Traditionally, new Presidents and or governments fire previous employees and hire persons loyal to their factions. Maduro, did say, however that the government machinery is presently too large and that he does not plan to expand. He stated that government spending of 27 million in salaries needs to be reduced and that he plans to cut salaries of more than Lps. 100,000.00 as well as reduce the travel budgets of government officials. -La Prensa

Chiquita Brands bankruptcy will not affect Honduras

Representatives of the Tela Railroad Company, a subsidiary of Chiquita Brands International stated that the company's filing for bankruptcy will not affect Honduras. Chiquita, based in Cincinnati, is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in attempt to reduce US$950 million in debt. The company plans to restructure and sell company shares, a process that should take between 90 and 120 days. A Panamanian company, Consolidated Fruit Company is currently negotiating the purchase of these shares. -La Prensa

Women only represent 3.9% of the National Congress

Despite the new equal rights law that states that women be granted 30% of the elected positions, this amount has not been achieved and will even go down during the next government. Presently there are 12 female members of congress and 16 substitutes. The new congress will only have five female members and 20 substitutes. -El Heraldo

Overseas votes cost more than Lps. 2000 each

Although more than 10,000 persons who live abroad were registered to vote, only 4,692 or 43% actually did. More than Lps.10 million were spent on ballots cast overseas, which averages out to a cost of approximately Lps. 2,131.00 each. -El Heraldo

Children still plagued by diarrhea

Despite efforts in preventive medicine and sanitation to reduce and prevent infections and intestinal parasites, diarrhea is still the second leading cause of death in children under the age of five. One health representative estimates that eight out of every 30 children treated for diarrhea in hospitals die. She stated that while treatment is relatively easy using medication and rehydration, many parents wait until their children are in critical condition before taking them to the physician, thus the contributing to the continuing high number of deaths. -El Heraldo