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Democracy for Honduras: the Friedrich Ebert Foundation

President Ricardo Maduro talking at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation during his presidential campaign. 

By CONCHA HOEFLER
Special to Honduras This Week

TEGUCIGALPA-"The promotion and qualitative improvement of the Honduran democracy is the main reason for my being in Tegucigalpa" explains Peter Petz, program coordinator for the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES). 

In 1925 political friends of Germany's first democratically elected president Friedrich Ebert decided to keep his ideals and work alive. To do so, they created the first German political foundation: the FES. The social democrat and revolutionary Ebert fought his whole life for social justice and democracy, supporting the labor movements. After the German reconstruction, the foundation spread its offices all over the planet and came to Honduras in 1982. FES started with mainly socioeconomic programs like women's cooperatives growing cashews and coffee. Now days, running short on money, they concentrate on what Petz calls "the essential political work": educating the people politically, offering space and subjects for forums and working with labor unions. Especially in the latter, FES sees an urgent need for reforms as the walls prohibiting real understanding have grown higher and thicker, thus making improvement almost impossible.

Although they share a similar ideology, FES is not a part of the German social democratic party (SPD) and is financed by the German taxpayer. Something very important for Petz: "we are independent and have our own programs. We are not the foreign ministry of the German SPD, we help this country to develop and don't submit to any political party restrictions."
Therefore, FES doesn't support only one of Honduras's political parties but works with all of them. At the moment, they work especially with the three smaller parties: the Unificacion Democratica (UD), the Democracia Cristiana (DC) and the Partido de Innovacion y Unidad in order to promote political pluralism. Petz's starting point is to coordinate the opposition policies of these parties to make them stronger but at the same time allow them to discuss and negotiate. FES is working with the Liberal Party (PL) as well, trying to reform their program and to democratize the party's political structure. Looking at the current government, Petz says he is "hopeful and optimistic that some urgent reforms might be passed". At the same time he shares the worries of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Honduras (CODEH) and other human rights organizations that President Maduro's zero tolerance policy might forget the basic human rights that even criminals possess.

With the slogan "help by supporting changes", FES doesn't stop by helping political parties to develop and reform themselves but also works extensively with women's organizations like the Committee for the Rights of Women (Comite de los Derechos de la Mujer - CDM). They plan a workshop for campesinas in Juticalpa, Olancho and for women working in labor unions in which participants will learn about women's rights, how to gain political influence and how to get into positions of leadership. 

The upcoming calendar includes: On April 30th, a "gender table" discussing women's labor rights in the manufacturing industry; and on May 2nd, a conference about the ratification of the International Penal Court (Corte Penal Internacional), organized by FES and CODEH. For more information on the subject please contact Peter Petz at 239-4911
Or write an email to fespp@sdnhon.org.hn




Helping mankind: New food center for the homeless in La Ceiba

Doctor Hector Gomez, with help from friends and a donation of the Standard Fruit Company recently opened a public food center for the homeless in La Ceiba.

By DON PEARLY

LA CEIBA - During a recent interview with Doctor Hector Gomez of La Ceiba regarding the condition of his AIDS victim's half-way house, it was a pleasant surprise to learn the central government of Honduras had begun to provide health care for the SIDA patients. This relieved the Doctor of the heavy and expensive burden he had been personally carrying for such a long time. Now that the Doctor and his wife, Doctor Dina Gomez, had extra time and money, they decided to bring a dream of three years to fruition: to provide a place where the homeless and the less fortunate can find a meal twenty-four hours a day. And, rather than asking for outside assistance, the Doctor prayed for guidance from above concerning his new task.

After the Standard Fruit Company granted permission for the free use of a beautiful building for a one year period, the Doctor, together with Freddie Bentura, built a wonderful kitchen, comedor (dining area) and gathering place for anyone who needs it. Volunteers such as Indalcio Enamorado and Noemi Garcia from the Christo de Llama Church are but two of the many who cook and control things at the food center. They are capable of serving four hundred and fifty meals each and every day if necessary and sometimes do.

Doctor Hector says the miracles keep pouring in. Without his asking, companies find him and donate each week, small amounts of bread, eggs, meat, rice and beans. Other surprises come when they open the donation box subtly kept near the kitchen. Sometimes a substantial amount of one and two Lempira bills are found within. The homeless and unfortunate guests themselves give what they can and it adds up. New goals include Food Centers in San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa.

Many of the guests have an alcohol dependency problem but always act like ladies and gentlemen when they are there. Some receive medical attention from the Doctor, and ten of them have stopped drinking altogether and have returned to their homes, reintegrating themselves into society because of the inspiration they found at the Food Center. Several have returned in good shape and help out cleaning and grooming the grounds. 

Such a worthy operation deserves all the help it can get, if you should be in a position to assist with food or cash donations you can call the Doctor in La Ceiba at 443-1938, or contact Don Pearly for more information at mayan@caribe.hn.




Lighthawk flight over Tegucigalpa

La Tigra National Park, a cloud forest located in the mountains north of Tegucigalpa is home to such exotic species as the quetzal.

 
By MARIO GUTIERREZ MINERA
On April 23, Capitan Dean A. Smith and his wife flew to Honduras from Costa Rica, in their one motor, 1978 CESSNA 206. 

Their plan was to fly important people over the different Municipalities of Honduras, so they could witness first hand damage to Honduras' nature.

Upon arrival, the pilot meet with project coordinator and Peace Corps volunteer, Cynthia Anderson, asking her for more information about the country and routes to be covered. The first flight was scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

The passengers of the inaugural flight were to be: the Assistant Manager of COHDEFOR (National Forestry Institute), Hilda Hernandez; the Mayor of Tegucigalpa, Miguel Pastor; the Ambassador of the United States, Frank Almaguer and myself, the Editor of Honduras This Week. However, the Ambassador was unable to make the flight and Mrs. Smith, a photographer from La Prensa, a COHDEFOR employee and Cynthia Anderson joined our flight.

The flight went well as we flew over the La Tigra National Park near Tegucigalpa. The pilot was impressed by the park's heavy forest cover and marveled to hear that quetzals inhabit it. We also observed other areas that have suffered desertification and deforestation of mountains and valleys. 

Shortly afterwards, just 35 minutes later, we were forced to return due to ill effects of the flight on some passengers.

Earlier we had discussed a flight to Olancho, La Ceiba and Trujillo, but more fuel was needed. After our short flight, the plane did take on more fuel for the Wednesday flight over Olancho, which turned out to be fatal.

The next day, the flight departed from Olancho with Tulio Alberto Moya, the Mayor of Catacamas; Ramon Antonio Mejia, the Mayor of San Esteban; Rafael Murillo, the Mayor of San Francisco de la Paz; Pablo Mendez, the Vice-Mayor of Gualaco; Carlos Sorto from COHDEFOR; and pilot on board. The plan was to cover eco-tourism routes in Olancho. Unfortunately near the Agalta Mountain the plane lost height, crashed into the mountain, and caught fire, there were no survivors. 

104 Miskitos on trial in Jamaica

The District Attorney of Ethnic Protection and Cultural Patrimony confirmed this week that 104 Honduran fishermen from the Moskita are on trail in Jamaica for illegal fishing in that countrys waters. They are being defended by a Jamaican lawyer at the petition of the boat captain.

The fishermen were captured by Jamaican authorities earlier this year. -La Tribuna

Workers Union remains firm on 25% raise

The executive secretary of the General Central Workers Union, Daniel Duron, announced this week that if an agreement is not come to between the workers unions, the Ministry of Labor and private enterprise, the government is legally authorized to make a decision inasmuch as minimum wage is concerned. Duron explained that government intervention is vital since any decision made will affect the national budget. He also said that aside from the 25% raise, workers are demanding the price of public services and the 20 basic food stuffs remain stable in case the garment industry decides to pull out of the country. -La Tribuna

Callejas Romero in the court system 

Ex-President Rafael Leonardo Callejas will have to return at least one of the six letters of provisional freedom he received from Judge Mildred Castillo in March. The reason being that the Public Ministry was not notified of resolutions Castillo made, or errors in due process that were appealed so that letters would be revoked. Callejas has been charged with abuse of authority, negligence and not fulfilling official responsibilities. -La Tribuna

CA and Caribbean analyze aviculture sanitation and commercial possibilities 

The Minister of Agriculture and Cattle Ranching, Mariano Jimenez Talavera, inaugurated this week a technical meeting held with the Presidents and Directors of the Central American and Caribbean Aviculture Federations, to analyze the regional situation, establish common strategy and seek better development possibilities for the sector.

The Honduran Aviculture Association stated that it is ready to enter in the globalization process by competing at a regional level and has the capacity to export to the United States. They also stated that no price increases are expected internally. -La Tribuna

Government will deduct Lps. 18 million from teachers salaries

The Minister of Finance, Arturo Alvarado announced on Monday that 18 million lempiras will be deducted from teachers salaries. 17 million will be deducted for the days they did not work during Easter, and one million for the "informative assemblies" they hold during working hours.

"The Ministry of Education is the institution responsible for making these calculations and if they are ready when we write up the checks, we will make the corresponding deduction, " Alvarado stated. He also said that the government will not be able to meet teacher demands for an increase in salary unless taxes are raised. -La Tribuna

President of Congress offers to divest himself of immunity

By BLANCA MORENO

TEGUCIGALPA -- In a historic move, the president of the National Congress, Porfirio Lobo Sosa, decided this week to give up his immunity and go to court to explain what happened a Lps. 200,000 transfer made while he served as general manager of the Honduran Forest Development Corporation (COHDEFOR). 

Lobo's actions were the result of a series of legal denouncement made against many congressmen over the years. In Honduras, it has become commonplace for many politicians to "run" for Congress just to receive immunity (which in this case is synonymous of impunity), a benefit provided by the Constitution of the Republic. Congressmen cannot give this prerogative up, unless the entire Congress approves so.

Lobo Sosa was accused of misuse of public funds, and his case was taking to court during the administration of President Carlos Roberto Reina (1994-98). The trial never came to fruition because Congress did not allow the case to go to the plenary phase.

Since 1994, the legislative chamber has been delaying divesting other people of immunity. One of them involves the former president of Honduras, Rafael Leonardo Callejas. He was accused of abuse of authority and corruption. Meanwhile, Carlos Montoya, a former president of the National Congress from 1982 to 1986, was accused of homicide. Other congressmen face different crimes, from illegal enrichment, to rape and bankruptcy. 

In the recent history of Honduran democracy, there is no record of any renowned congressman or high official being jailed. On the contrary, these people have been set free from responsibilities because the political class has refused to address these issues.
Some questioned political leaders such as Lobo Sosa have promised to go to court by their own will to answer judicial accusations. Meanwhile, government opponents have qualified such an attitude as demagogical. The fact is that even if these men are found guilty for the crimes they are accused of, they couldn't go to jail without a prior declaration of cause. In other words, such a voluntary divestment of immunity has no legal effect.

Political parties have subscribed commitments aimed at reforming the law in order to limit immunity exclusively to its parliamentary role. The purpose is to allow impunity to continue, as it has happened with the 15 cases mentioned above.

Former president Rafael Leonardo Callejas, who was seriously questioned by his successor Carlos Roberto Reina, applauded Lobo Sosa's attitude. He says it's not the National Congress that has the dirty face, but rather several congressmen. 


Public Housing to receive 1,600 million lempiras

By IXCHEL GRANADA

Tegucigalpa - Low-income housing projects have recently received a boost from Congress in the form of a 1,600 million budget for the next two years. These housing projects would apply to families with an average monthly income of 5,000 lempiras/ month. 

Minister of Presidential affairs, Luis Cosenza, revealed the plan and as well as the intent to reactivate several other previously abandoned housing projects throughout the country. 

The announcement made by Cosenza followed the approval of The Agricultural Reactivation Law which authorized two million lempiras to campesino or farm worker sectors showing the greatest need and with the most limited access to credit. 

Several functionaries stated their interest in reactivating rural economies in order to reactivate the greater economies within urban areas. "The best way to assure proper growth is through construction projects because these projects employ a great number of people and tend to move a great deal of money," said Cosenza.

President Maduro is scheduled to make a public announcement concerning public housing within the week. Meanwhile, the money is to be channeled through the private banks within the social housing project. 

Low-income families will be able to obtain loans of up to 150 thousand lempiras to build their own homes. Pre-built homes will also be available. The administration calculates approximately 10 thousand new homes within the next year. The erection of 10 thousand homes per year has never been accomplished by any administration therefore the Maduro administration is eager to achieve this social pact and reach out to the sector of the population that historically votes Liberal. 

Those that wish to obtain a loan must have land on which to build or otherwise prove that they do not have the resources to acquire a home through other means

The housing plan has reached the national level and intends to be accessible even in the most remote parts of the country.

Honduran consul sells "terrorist passports"

By BLANCA MORENO 

TEGUCIGALPA - A new scandal has recently exposed Honduras as one of the countries that facilitates documents to terrorist groups. Investigators allege that the Honduran Consul in Jordan, Faiz Roberto Elmadhy was trafficking Honduran passports with members of Al-Qaida. 

"The simple fact of mentioning Honduras in relation to any terrorist group, especially with Al-Qaida, is very harmful for the Honduran people," said the Minister of Foreign Affairs Guillermo Perez-Cadalso Arias.

The Minister talked to the media after confirming that Lebanese; Jordan, Chinese and Russian citizens around the world possess Honduran passports that were irregularly acquired through illegal trafficking nets.

Authorities recently arrested two Lebanese with Honduran passports; these documents are believed to form part of the 1,500 passports stolen from the Ministry's offices in San Pedro and Tegucigalpa last year. 

Elmadhy entered the country several weeks ago along with two Jordanian citizens. Police were unable to detain him, but the Criminal Investigation Office (DGIC) is holding the two foreigners. 

In order to impede further falsification procedures, Honduran passports will shortly possess the same security features as U.S. passports.

The problem with the new passports is that they will be much more expensive, since the cost will rise from $3.50 to $60 per unit. "We have taken extreme security measures in our passport issuing offices in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba." said Perez-Cadalso Arias. 

Who is Faiz Roberto Elmadhy Khury?
The chancellor confirmed that Faiz Roberto Elmadhy Khury was suspended two weeks ago from his post as Interim Business Attaché of Honduras in Jordan. So far, his location is unknown, but an international detention order for him as been issued. 

The Honduran government has solid proof against the former diplomat, this includes: cashed checks for the amount of US$15 thousand received in payment for the passports of the Lebanese, and another check for US$70 thousand that he received from the Jordanian citizens.

According to the file opened by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, starting November 1, 1999, Elmadhy Khury served as Honduran Consul at the Embassy in Egypt. In October 2000, he became the Interim Business Attaché in Jordan, keeping the rank of Consul. 

Elmadhy Khury's brother is Farid Elmadhy, who is married to Dominique Villeda. Her brother is married to Honduras' First Lady, Carolina Maduro de Villeda.


Hondurans united against the common foe of crime

By Howard Rosenzweig

Honduras' newly declared war against crime is now in full swing. For those of us who may not be totally convinced of the governments resolve to use all means at it's disposal to combat crime there were a number of articles in the national press complete with full color photos where the Vice Minister of Security declared to the press in mid March that the use of lethal force to combat organized crime was now official policy. 

The incident that set all this off was the successful robbery of an armored bank car by a crew of bandits armed with a bazooka. To counter this escalation by criminals, the Honduran forces who currently patrol together with the National Police are now authorized to use the following weaponry in their fight against crime; M-60 machine guns, Uzi machine guns, 60 mm mortars, M-79 Rocket Propelled Grenades, Rocket Launchers, Artillery, AK-47 and M-16 assault rifles, quite a bit of heavy duty armament, and obviously very little of it appropriate to fighting common street crime in a major urban metropolitan area. Upon reading the article I figured of course that the listing of armaments was more for show than anything else; that is until I went to San Pedro Sula for a bit of shopping and as I sat in Burger King munching on my burger along came an army jeep with nothing less than an M 60 heavy machine gun and machine gunner at the ready, talk about zero tolerance.

Although I make light of the use of heavy-duty war armaments to protect citizens, there is a serious side to all this. The fact that the military must resort to calling out the big guns tells volumes in terms of the lack of preparedness and equipment that the military and police are forced to deal with. The police lack vehicles, communications gear, adequate weaponry, proper training, etc., in addition to being woefully under-staffed and shorthanded. Thus in order to help enforce President Maduros' extremely popular zero tolerance policy against crime the military had to be called out for duty to take up the slack in support of the police. Obviously, the military is ill prepared to fight the good fight against common street crime - they are trained to fight wars and assist after natural disasters, not to catch common criminals. Thus we have military solutions to what are certainly police issues and hence the calling out of the big guns in support of the police. 

One day this will all not be necessary, one day Honduras will have an effective, professionally trained police force, but in the interim, we'll just have to settle for the military helping out the best way they can, and from reactions around the country the nation has rallied around the police and military like never before in recent memory. Hondurans of all walks of life have united against the common foe of crime which has become a serious nationwide problem in recent years, and our only defense right now is our police and military, the country has grown to realize that now more than ever the future of our nation hinges on the ability of our security forces and the political will of the national government to draw a line in the sand against crime. Luckily we have a President now who has drawn this line, who has backed up his pledge to at least try to implement a policy of zero tolerance, no small feat in a country historically known for it's wild west, anything goes mentality and hopefully will continue to make security a front burner issue for the next fours years of his term.

Dollarization discarded

The President of the Central Bank of Honduras, Maria Elena Mondragon stated this week during an economic forum that this government will not be able to dollarize the Honduran economy.
She stated it is an aberration to believe that such a step would solve current the problems caused by a deteriorating economy or reduce the fiscal deficit.

"Honduras does not present the necessary conditions to begin that sort of process and we are a long way from achieving it," stated Mondragon. The methodology implied for dollarization requires reducing the fiscal deficit to a minimum and improving tax collection, as well as stronger export sector and a much more solid financial system, she said. -El Heraldo

Liberal congressmen abandon legislative sessions

While the Agricultural Solidarity Bill was being discussed in Congress on Tuesday, Liberal congressmen decided to refrain from the debate in protest of massive layoffs of liberal party members from government institutions. They also withdrew from the session their two board members, Vice-President Virgilio Umanzor and Pro-Secretary Erick Rodriguez. 

Congressman Jorge Arturo Reina, who argued that National Party partisanship is forcing them to defend members of their party, presented the protest. "Political partisanship must stop and be placed in the museum of bad things that happened in the past," he said. Prior the legislative session, the liberal majority met with members of the National Election Tribune to analyze the situation. -El Heraldo

President Maduro asks businessmen for a shared sacrifice

In a closed-door session with north coast businessmen, President Maduro, on the subject of economic reactivation requested a "shared sacrifice" that will stabilize the price of basic foodstuffs and not force an increase in sales tax. The president briefly explained his government's criteria for overcoming poverty. 

According to him, the most important factor is reducing inflation with the shared sacrifice of all sectors, for which he stated private enterprise has agreed to cooperate by voluntarily controlling prices. 

This means no salary increases or just slight ones, much lower than the rate of inflation. "What we need to do is lower inflation because it hits the poor, who are the majority, the hardest; so far, all sectors are cooperating," he stated. He was referring to the syndicate movement that has agreed to reduce its expectations to a reasonable level concerning the increase in minimum wage. He also stated that in 15 days his government will be presenting to Congress a reformulated and higher national budget for approval. The increase will be spent for safety, education and health.

"We are tightening the belt in all other sectors, but we cannot scrimp on expenses to reduce poverty, provide safety, health and education," Maduro said. "We all have to commit ourselves to covering these expenses and I refuse to budge on this matter," he went on to say.

With respect to the rise in the price of petrol derivatives, the president said that the government does not have much control over these costs; the increase in price is a result of international market prices, unfavorably high due to the mid-east crisis.

A proposed increase in the price of electricity and the fiscal deficit were not discussed, but will be within the next few weeks. -La Tribuna

International day in recognition of Campesino struggle observed 

By IXCHEL GRANADA

TEGUCIGALPA - Over 500 individual farmers as well as various farmer or campesino unions gathered in protest this 17th of April on the steps of the nation's congressional building. This date commemorates the "International Day in Recognition of the Campesino Struggle". Both the Association of Honduran Campesino Organizations (COCOCH) and the Via Campesina or the International Farmers Movement were on hand, leading several hundred individuals in earnest proclamations for access to farmland and appealing for action from congressional members in response to their complaints. Local and national police were on hand to control the crowds. Although the atmosphere was tense, the gathering remained non-violent. 

Both Via Campesina and the Association of Honduran Campesino Organizations composed an outline of concerns, needs, and expectations for the coming year and sent the formal statement to government representatives for review and a response. 

Via Campesina is mobilizing its members, along with other social movement groups in order to secure a number of concrete demands. These demands will be proposed at The World Convention for Sustainable Development, The World Convention at Rome and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization of the (FAO) summit with the intent to convert these demands into written government agreements. These demands include: a complete prohibition on the use and import of sterile seeds known as "terminator technology"; a call for an investigation of the FAO in regards to cross- contamination of transgenetic crops and crop seeds, as well as the application of concrete barriers to avoid this kind of contamination and further investigation of the dangers they impose on centers of biological diversity; national and international steps to be taken in protecting intellectual property rights (IPR's) where genetic resource patents are strictly prohibited.

In addition to these demands, leaders of COCOCH requested that the newly elected congressional members address the agrarian reform laws that serve as an effective tool for ameliorating poverty at the most basic level. Forestry initiatives, and protected areas and wildlife decrees are also included in the COCOCH proposal. New additions to the law would seek to benefit over 350,000 campesino families who are currently landless. 

Domestic violence: What did the Honduran society forget?

By LAURA YVONNE FACUSSE
Special to Honduras This Week

When time could finally separate families into different households, society forgot to separate each and everyone's personal story, thus making it a curse on women rather than an aid. We live one block away, but my ear is close to a cup with which I listen to what is on the other side of my wall. And yet, I decide to ignore our reality.

Domestic violence is something that haunts too many Honduran households to be easily forgotten and ignored. We live in different houses, but I know what goes on in your house, why am I not helping you? Now, ask your neighbor to ask herself that same question. In such closed societies, such is the Honduran, very few women report domestic violence charges, they prefer to bury their souls rather than become the next victim under society's speculum. Women often tolerate domestic violence in Honduras and this is what makes it so common. Women alienate themselves from their rights and desires.

Being a woman does not mean we are the predetermined target objects of physical and mental abuse. In Honduras, the prevalent latino machismo culture reigns over a weak feminist ideology. Thus, by putting their woman in the kitchen, men introduce the three steps to domestic violence. First, the woman cooks soul food. In other words, her identity and soul fries along with the beans the family has for dinner. Second, she begins to accept machismo and simultaneously forgets about her self-esteem, one reason society has become male-centered. As Luce Irrigay said, "She wants him to love himself in her," not simply love her. Third, the woman becomes more attentive towards her husband's needs and forgets about her own. Therefore, her soul, food and body slowly cease to be her property, and she becomes disembodied.

Disembodiment occurs when a woman becomes society's prisoner. It tells her how to behave, what to wear, how to feel, how to look, and what to want. However, a woman's main proprietor becomes the man her family accepted. He keeps her hidden, virginal, and disembodied. She on the other hand, regards her body as a pearl; "pearls are congealed spit (Margaret Atwood)."

Appraisal requires imprisonment and since, "Nobody needs criticism, only appreciation (Gertrude Stein)," women hide the sad reality that are "too well taken care of." Too much beauty needs attention, constant surveillance, and caring; this is the excuse men use to disembody women.

While the husbands rejoice in the Green Club, the wives knit each loose string that clings from their battered hearts. Many domestic violence cases are now buried two meters underground, but many are still hidden under our hair in the back of our minds and under our shirts on our bruised skin.

It is hard to approach this subject, especially because I am addressing the modern sensitive Honduran woman. What they have "forgotten" to confess and what Honduran society has "forgotten" to listen to. Domestic violence begins with women, later on with the children and afterwards passed on from generation to generation. (Fifty percent of men that batter their wives abuse their children). High rates of alcoholism in males and deep embedded traditions of machismo are some of the most common explanations for the abuse. But, we have never needed explanations and we do not want women who will hide and reproduce this domino effect.

There are laws and organizations that protect mentally and physically abused women, but that is not the problem. 

These laws are effective, only if women are aware of them and are not afraid of being protected by them. For some reason, many Honduran women are either ignorant of the laws or fear making use of them. Not only does this encourage more abuse, it allows the abuse to continue. In order to reverse the curse ovarian determinism has placed over women, a strong sense of guidance for females and humanitarian aid is an option. However, the spark has to flick in one woman's heart first so, the rest can follow. "Who will help you, if you do not want to help yourself," so they say. This is the fashion badge Honduran society has forgotten to wear. 

I have always wanted to address this subject because I can no longer bear with the fact that I am perhaps too aware of this abuse, and yet I do not hold the power to reveal it. I can no longer hold it within me, to see it in too many Honduran households, and yet "forget" to talk about it. I cannot understand why many women choose to be vulnerable. They hide it deep in their souls and teach their daughters to do the same. It is my belief that every human being has control over their feelings and life decisions; why do women choose to be docile? I have seen the true power within women; the power of their gestures, movements and will. There is nothing more beautiful than to feel life pouring out from a strong woman's heart. Sometimes, I feel that men are fortunate because they have the opportunity to love a woman, but at the same time, saddened because they are blind of her true nature, often blinding her of it as well. 

It is a gender battle, but also a personal battle of women fighting with themselves. They torture their ego, expose their fragility, and hide themselves. This is a battle every woman everywhere fights, but at home it enrages me to feel that the power of secrecy, small mind gossip, and ignorance of the true natural spontaneous woman embodies it so.

Budget increase of 1,7 billion lempiras

Despite government claims of a fiscal crisis, officials are planning to increase this year's budget by 1,7 billion. In December, Congress approved 27,3 billion, however, the Minister of Finance, Arturo Alvarado stated this week that the budget has been adjusted to 29 billion, and will be sent to Congress next week for approval. The new budget also includes 520 million lempiras in savings accumulated from austerity measures applied since January. 

According to the Minister, this year's budget can be financed with fiscal resources as well as foreign loans. Of the additional 1,7 billion, 800 million will be assigned to priority areas such as health, education and safety; 700 million will be assigned to decentralized institutions working with a deficit such as the National Autonomous University, the Tax Bureau and the National Statistic Institute; 150 million will go to pay off depositors of bankrupt financial institutions; and 50 million will cover the debt of a lawsuit that the government lost, that was brought on by the Delta Construction Company over the installations of the VI Central American Games. 

"We don't think it will be necessary to raise taxes to cover costs, unless extraordinary expenses, such as payment of 100% of the salaries petitioned by teachers, which would imply a cost of 1,5 billion (without specific sources of financing), arise," stated the Minister. -El Heraldo

Increase in production to ward off corn shortage

The Minister of Agriculture and Ranching, Jose Maria Ordonez, presented this week the Increasing Productivity and Competitiveness of corn production project aimed at reducing shortages and the importation of corn.

The Minister stated that the current shortage is three million quintals, and that this project aims at finding a point of equilibrium between the supply and demand. The cost of the project is 239 million lempiras and will be financed by the National Agricultural Development Bank (Banadesa), the National Housing and Production Fund (Fonaprovi), Agricultural Technology Transference Services Modernization Program, (Promosta) and the private banking sector.

The funding will be utilized to help producers with the production and transference of technology, training, sustainable management of hill production, commercialization and industrialization, financing, irrigation, storage and insurance.

David Erazo, general manager of the Agricultural Protection Program, explained that by planting 50 thousand more manzanas of corn and elevating production per manzanas from 22 to 37 quintals, national production would increase 2.3 million quintals, saving Honduras the 84.4 million-lempira expense of importing the grain to cover the shortage.

The project will initially be carried out in the Sula, Aguan Medio, Guayape, Jamastran and Quimistan valleys, prior expansion to cover 12 departments. -El Heraldo

First reconstructed airplane on exhibit

Members of the Honduran Air Force and members of the Air Museum presented this week a reconstructed airplane dating from 1931. An Air Force representative stated that members of the Air Force and a private aviation club held several fund raising activities to cover the cost of the reconstruction.

The airplane is U.S. NA-16 that was brought to Honduras during the administration of President Tiburcio Carias Andino. The Air Museum is not yet open to the general public, however schools can request permission to visit. -La Tribuna

Outrage over death of campesinos

By IXCHEL GRANADA

TEGUCIGALPA - This past Thursday, March 28, three campesinos or peasant farm-workers, Manuel de Jesus Reyes, Feliciano Orellana, and Catarino Morales were brutally murdered in the Department of Colon on nearby properties belonging to the trans-national corporation Standard Fruit Company. Guards employed by the company are highly suspect in the murders.

Six months ago these three campesinos entreated the National Agrarian Institute (INA) for access to approximately 2000 hectares of land apparently property of the same transnational company. INA serves the needs of land-less peasants and in not responding adequately and promptly, is held accountable for the events that transpired.

Members of Congress introduced a motion this week, which would create a Commission of delegates and representatives to investigate the events of March 28. The five parties of Congress unanimously approved the motion. Moreover, Representative Ramon Velasquez Nazzer spoke fervently of the duties held by the state in regards to the campesino community, "What has happened in Colon is a great tragedy and will not go unpunished. These abuses have been committed throughout Honduran history and we are all answerable to the injustices against our fellow countrymen. Episodes such as these highlight the need for further agrarian reforms which must be addressed in the future."

The first significant peasant organization emerged around the North Coast banana plantations. The establishment of these organizations paved the way for government policies aimed at redistributing farmland. In 1962 the first law in a series of agrarian reform laws was presented to Congress, which stated that farmland left idle and non-productive should be expropriated to campesinos in order to better fulfill its "social functions." Not until 1974 was a law enacted under these reforms, which specifically delineated rights, which would support peasant demands for access to arable land and other assistance.

The motion presented to Congress further states that the negligence on the part of Honduran authorities, principally the INA, continues to aggravate landless campesinos. Furthermore, the impunity with which transnational banana and fruit companies have historically treated Hondurans is an affront to our society and must be responded to. An air of indifference on the part of Honduran officials and representatives is a precarious stance and will serve only legitimize the impunity and show disregard for the laws of the state. The motion approved by Congress emphasizes the continual evolution of agrarian reform.

Murders of children and youth continue in Honduras: 27 murders in March 

The unceasing murder of children and youth in Honduras continued its bloody toll during the month of March 2002 claiming 27 new victims, ten of whom were between 16 and 18 years of age. March 2002 is the most violent month of March since Casa Alianza started to document the murders of children and youth in Honduras in 1998. 

There were two massacres during the month " both in the industrial city of San Pedro Sula "where, in both cases, a total of six assassinations were attributed to the "carro asesino" or murder car - a phantom-like vehicle that has become the fear of young people in the city. With two or three unidentified men in civilian clothes inside, the vehicle cruises the city firing indiscriminately upon any young people who have tattoos or baggy pants "the fashion associated with juvenile gang members. Yet many innocent young victims who like the stylish clothing also fall prey for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

With the March 2002 murders, Casa Alianza statistics reflect a total of 1,116 children and youth through 22 years of age have been murdered in Honduras since January 1998. In March 1998 there were 16 young people murdered, all by guns; four in San Pedro Sula and six in Tegucigalpa. In March 1999, 18 children and youth were murdered, 10 by firearms and 7 with other weapons; 10 were killed in Tegucigalpa and two in San Pedro Sula. 

In March 2000, the youth killings totaled ten, nine murdered with a fire arm and one with a knife; five murdered in San Pedro Sula, two in Comayaguela and one in Tegucigalpa. In March 2001, eleven children and youth were murdered, nine with guns and one with a knife. 

This has been the bloodiest month of March on record and our concerns are mounting regarding the effectiveness of zero tolerance for young people, lamented Bruce Harris, the Regional Director for Latin American Programs for Casa Alianza, referring to recently elected President Maduro's campaign promise. 

Of the dozens of cases against policemen that are pending in the courts, not one conviction has taken place in the past four years despite the mounds of available evidence. We urge President Maduro to take control of the situation and stop the murders of children.

For the past two months, more than 6,000 members of the military have been on the streets of Honduras in an effort to reduce the high levels of crime. The UN Special Rapporteur on Extra Judicial, Summary and Arbitrary executions, Asma Jahangir, who was in Honduras for two weeks in August 2001 has still not issued her formal report on her findings. An estimated 60% of the murders of children and youth - more than 670 cases - have not been investigated sufficiently by the Honduran police in order to to identify the perpetrator of the murders.

Congress cleans house: cutbacks began right after Easter 

By IXCHEL GRANADA 

Tegucigalpa —  Despite the week of respite known as Semana Santa, or Holy Week, various steps were taken in Congress to continue cutbacks in government spending.  A wave of layoffs in the public administration sector struck a blow to approximately fifty government employees who received their pink slips this week.

Many employees were anticipating such a move on the part of the National Congress, however, most were expecting the decision to come before the week of vacationing began.  

The first to receive news that they were to be dismissed from their positions were fifteen guardsmen, as well as six employees of the Center for Research and Legislative Studies known as CIEL.  The Property Control Office also laid off six employees and expects to continue cutbacks into the next month. 

The “spring cleaning” affected various divisions within the government including long-standing employees and tenured positions.  Past administrations were known to hold over eighteen positions within the Public Relations division.  The current administration has significantly reduced this number to a little over eight positions within the division. 

The month of February and part of March, the layoffs numbered in the sixties.  This number has decreased because a few, prudential individuals were able to convince representatives in Congress of the substantial role, which they play in politics. 

Hiring Manager, Francisco Javier Sanchez, has maintained a low profile this week as members of the press and union members continue to ask how the selections for lay offs were made.  Meanwhile, Porfirio Lobo Sosa, Head of Congress, assures the public of fair and transparent cutbacks which are meant to streamline government actions.

Government to pay Lps. 12 million for contaminated blood transfusion

In a medical mal practice suit brought against the government, the court decided in favor of Maria Juarez of Olancho, awarding her Lps.12 million in damages. Juarez, the mother of five, became HIV positive after receiving a contaminated blood transfusion during an operation in the Hospital Materno Infantil in Tegucigalpa. The sentence also included the cost of child support and education of Juarez´s children as well as her medical expenses. -La Prensa

Employees using government vehicles during Easter holidays will be fired

President Maduro ordered on Monday all government employees found using government vehicles during the holiday, from March 27 to March 31 be fired. In a public announcement, Maduro reaffirmed his promise of austerity as well as the reduction of abuse and corruption. He sent orders to the Office of Civil Service to conduct interviews with government officials and drivers found using vehicles during this period. 33 vehicles were discovered in use without valid permits. -La Tribuna

Mayor of San Pedro Sula proposes State of Emergency

"Despite the presence of *200 cobra units, 600 police agents and 800 soldiers on the streets of San Pedro Sula, the crime rate is still on the rise," said Mayor Oscar Kilgore last week. Kilgore stated that investment in development and growth will come to naught if criminality is not controlled. Kidnappings are still frequent in that city, and lead to the recent death of young university student. The mayor said that the war on crime is the responsibility of the entire population, not just the municipality. Declaring a state of emergency would not be a means of infringing on individual rights or imposing a curfew but rather measures taken to curb criminality, he said. These measures must be sought and found if the war on crime is to be successful. He also proposed a security tax that would cover the cost of new procedures. -La Prensa

Fines for UNAH students for repeating classes proposed

A special commission was named last week to study the possibility of increasing tuition, privatizing student services such as parking and fining students who repeat or desert classes. The prinicipal objective of these measures would be financial recuperation of the National Autonomous University of Honduras.

Rector Ana Belen explained that the commission was formed to determine the feasibility of applying these measures and that they will not be put into effect yet. Meanwhile, the Federation of University Students of Honduras, FEUH, expressed opposition to any measure that will affect student pockets. -El Heraldo

Maduro makes first official visit to Spain

By BLANCA MORENO

On Thursday, April 3, 70 days after taking office, Honduran President Ricardo Maduro made his first official visit to Spain and held a meeting with Spanish President Jose Maria Aznar and Asturian Prince, Felipe de Borbon; both of whom reiterated their support of and cooperation with Honduras.

Maduro, accompanied by his brother Osmond Maduro, stated from Madrid that the meeting was successful and that such issues as police training, agriculture and tourism had been discussed.

Aznar is currently vying for the post of President of the European Union Council and his position is to maintain commercial relations with Central America as a single trade block that would include: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama y Belize.

Unification of the isthmus will facilitate cooperation with the European Union stated the Honduran President. Inasmuch as the war on crime is concerned the President said that assistance from Spain would include police training as well as the formulation of strategies to help form an effective intelligence force that possesses credibility. That country is also cooperating with the implementation of the Penal Process Code.

When President Aznar greeted Maduro, he stated "Honduras can count on Spain's collaboration in the development of the plans and projects Maduro has."