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Presidential Profile: Ricardo Maduro Joest

President Ricardo Maduro converses with former President Carlos Flores.

TEGUCIGALPA -- Ricardo Maduro graduated from Stanford University with a degree in economics, he went to high school in Pennsylvania and grade school in Tegucigalpa.

His roots stem from two distinguished families: the Midence family of Honduras, businessmen and founders of the Bank of Honduras, original printers and distributors of Honduran currency before the Central Bank was established; and the Maduro family in Panama, also noted business people.

Maduro has a long business history, as a young man he was the General Manager of Xerox in Honduras. In 1976 he began his job as Executive Director of Inversiones La Paz. In this position he founded, organized and promoted individually and within his family's business many different companies, including: Aquacultivos de Honduras, Granjas Marinas San Bernardo; Jetstereo; Comercial Ultramotor; Automundo; Fuji de Honduras; Banco de la Produccion; Supermercados Todos; Centros Comerciales Multiplaza and Hoteles Camino Real-Intercontinental.

In 1983, the Honduran American Chamber of Commerce (HAMCHAM) awarded Maduro their "Businessman of the Year" award. In 1991, the Honduran daily El Heraldo awarded him their "Man of the Year" award and in 1997 he received the "Boris Goldstein" award from the Association of Managers and Businessmen of Honduras (GEMAH).

Maduro began his political career just over 15 years ago. He was a founding member of the Unity and Change (Unidad y Cambio) movement, whose objective was the renovation and restructuring of the National Party. 

This movement gained control of the party and carried Rafael Leonardo Callejas to the Presidency in 1989. Maduro began his work with the party with a position on the Tegucigalpa Committee, however, given his organizational and managerial talents he quickly rose to First Committee Member of the National Party Central Committee and President of the same. He was campaign manager for ex-President Callejas in 1985 and 1989.

In 1989, Maduro organized the National Party and it won the election. Callejas then named Maduro President of the Central Bank and Coordinator of the Economic Cabinet.

During his stint as President of the Central Bank, by means of liberalizing government price control of more than 1500 products; establishing a real money exchange rate; opening up the financial sector; liberalizing exterior commerce, and encouraging non- traditional exports such as melon, palm oil, shrimp as well as the maquila industry, Maduro was the author of a profound restructuring of the Honduran economy.

At the same time, he began a reform of the government that lead to the reduction of its size, the restructuring of some state businesses, the restructuring of the bilateral external debt and an agreement with the International Monetary Fund that made possible the flow of payments that were already approved , along with new loans. These together with the recuperation of the Honduran Economy allowed the country to catch up on its payments of the external debt and permitted economic growth.

In 1994, he was mentioned as a possible Presidential candidate for the National Party, however he chose to return to private life at that time.

In April 1997, a painful family tragedy hit the Maduro family. Ricardo Ernesto, just 24- years old was murdered during a kidnapping attempt in San Pedro Sula. 

Ricardo Ernesto's death caused profound grief and indignation on a national level. Just one week after the assassination, the Industrial Chamber of Commerce of Cortes organized a peace march in which 50,000 persons participated to protest crime and ask for peace. 

The Maduro family decided to create a Foundation in memory of Ricardo Ernesto. The Ricardo Ernesto Maduro Andreu Foundation (FEREMA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the continuous improvement of the quality, equality and efficiency of education in Honduras. The foundation has conducted a serious analysis of the education system in Honduras and has promoted important changes in the educational policies.

On August 4, 1999, Maduro announced his decision to seek the Candidacy for President of the Republic and in December 2000, he won the National Party Primary Election. On November 25, 2001 Maduro won the National Presidential Election and will be sworn in on January 27, 2002 as President of the Republic.

President-elect Maduro, while born in Panama, is Honduran by birth. His parents were Mr. Osmond Maduro Cardoze, a Panamanian and Mrs. Maria Cristina Joest Midence, Honduran by birth. He has three daughters: Carolina, Cecilia and Lorena, and three grandchildren.



Women and education in the developing world

Many Honduran women are forced to work in the informal economic sector to support their families.

By ROSIBEL PACHECHO DE GUTIERREZ

TEGUCIGALPA -- There are many deeply-rooted concepts in popular wisdom that are supported by reliable information: "In many developing countries, women who receive education increase their income and improve their family's living conditions; unfortunately, in the case of men this does not occur." Perhaps that is why many human development and population programs are aimed at women: as she will involve her partner, if she has one, and the rest of her family, she is an ideal agent of change.

Analyzing a few Honduran statistics, we see that in 1961, the Economically Active Population (PEA) represented 12.9 percent of the total (PEA). This number increased to 21.4 percent in 1988 and to 35.7 percent in the year 2001. Working women involved in the formal and informal sectors of the economy receive an average salary 20 percent lower than men, even when they do the same job.

The 1988 census shows that women's educational level is still below men's, yet their situation has improved. A majority of women complete four to six years of primary and secondary school, while the majority of men complete only one to three years of education. In other words, more men are registered in school, but more women graduate. In addition, the 23rd Multiple Purpose Permanent Survey shows that women have studied an average of 4.1 years, versus 3.8 years among men. 

The improvement in the women's education level has several explanations: On the one hand, women have to educate and train themselves more than men just to get a job. On the other hand, men still have significant pressures to work, for which they are sometimes forced to abandon their studies. Another possible reason is that, given general family instability, parents are a little bit more concerned about their daughters' education, and especially for a future head of household. People know that 30 percent of all Honduran homes are lead by women, which means that they have to support one and a half million children and young people in poverty. 

Women's education is a very important aspect of population studies, as it influences demographic dynamics over the long term, mainly through a decrease in fecundity and child mortality levels.

On January 25, Honduras celebrates Women's Day, while on January 27, the nation's new president, Ricardo Maduro Joest, will take office.

He emphasized the importance of education, and has directed well structured widespread teaching programs (before becoming a presidential candidate). A wise popular saying says the following: "Who educates a daughter, is educating an entire family." We can add that one who educates the women of a country is educating the country itself. 

 

Conflict over judicial appointments

By BLANCA MORENO

TEGUCIGALPA -- After a series of negotiations and disagreements among the different movements of the National and Liberal parties, the Board of Directors of the National Congress was finally confirmed this week. However, things are still unclear at the Supreme Court of Justice, to the point of becoming a threat that may lead to a social and political convulsion. 

Porfirio Lobo Sosa will be the new Congressional President. He is seen as a conciliating man capable of bringing the opposite groups of the National Party to a point of balance. 
The so-called "dark side" of the National Party was not included on the Board of Directors, a situation which may lead to future political problems. Also, given the fact that the Supreme Court admitted an appeal to invalidate the list of candidates for Supreme Court Magistrates selected by the official Nominating Board, social chaos is being predicted. Attorney Jose Augusto Avila made the appeal after realizing that the list of 45 professional candidates chosen violates the Constitution.

Congress had reformed the Constitution with the purpose of creating a participatory scheme in which a group of civil organizations would propose the candidates for Supreme Court Magistrates. Nevertheless, these groups were influenced by the directors of non-governmental organization's who selected left-wing candidates.

The leaders of the two traditional parties agreed to choose eight magistrates from the National party, and seven from the Liberal party.

While the National Party decided to choose their magistrates from the original list, Liberal Party leaders want to expand the number of proposed names to include people clearly affiliated with their political institution. On the other hand, the civilian organizations involved have threatened a denunciation to the international community that democracy in Honduras is at risk.

The Executive, Legislative and Judicial powers, must be constituted before tomorrow, when the new government will take office.

Civil society will denounce Honduras internationally

Representatives of civil society who formed part of the Supreme Court Magistrates Nominating Board, will denounce Honduras internationally for eliminating the list of final candidates nominated for Supreme Court Magistrate. -La Tribuna

Six Presidents will attend Honduran Presidential Inauguration

At least six presidents, one prime minister and two princes will attend the Honduran presidential inauguration of Ricardo Maduro. So far, Presidents Alfonso Portillo, Francisco Flores, Enrique Bolanos, Miguel Angel Rodriguez, Mireya Moscoso and Andres Pastrana from Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia respectively have confirmed their attendance. The Prime Minister of Belize, Said Musa will also attend; as well as the Prince of Asturias, Felipe de Borbon; Mexico's First Lady, Martha Sahagun; and the Prince of the Barhain Emirate, King Al-Shariff. -La Tribuna

Tegucigalpa firemen don't have enough water to fight fires. Jose Manuel Zelaya, Tegucigalpa Fire Chief, stated last week that he is highly concerned about the current water shortage in Tegucigalpa. Zelaya said that currently none of the central hydrants have any water in them. He also stated that his department only has 25 thousand gallons of water available to them in the entire city. "SANAA (water department) must provide us with at least two or three hydrants so we can handle any emergency." -La Tribuna

Coffee production down by a million quintals

Coffee producers are estimating that due to the current crisis in this sector caused by low international prices, production will be down by at least a million sacks this year. Coffee grower and congressman, Orlando Valenzuela says, "Many of the farms in the Department of Lempira have not even been fertilized this year." This depression in coffee production can be attributed to the approximate Lps. 800 cost of producing a sack of coffee that sells for Lps. 450. -La Tribuna

Transportation sector threatens to strike

The President of the National Transportation Counsel, Jorge Lopez announced on Thursday a general strike to begin on Friday. According to Lopez, the counsel has been petitioning a raise in the price of transportation for the last year and half that has yet to be authorized. The strike did not occur on Friday, but may take place this Monday. -El Heraldo 

New road links the north coast and the Gulf of Fonseca

At a cost Lps. 46 million, 107 kilometers of road connecting the Departments of Comayagua, La Paz and Valle were inaugurated on Wednesday. The project's objective is to foment commerce, production and travel between the north coast and the Gulf of Fonseca. The new road shortens the distance between the two areas and does not go through the capital city of Tegucigalpa. 

The project was funded by U.S. Agency for International Development and built by the Honduran Social Investment Fund. The road also go through the Municipalities of Goascoran to Lauterique; Lauterique to San Antonio; San Antonio to San Juan; San Juan to Lamani; and finally, Lamani to Villa de San Antonio. -La Prensa

Master's degree in tax and customs administrations being offered in UNITEC

Jorge Illescas and Gabriela Nunez (second and third from left to right) during the signing of the agreement.

By SUYAPA CARIAS

The Finance Ministry, the Income Tax Bureau (DEI) and the Central American Technological University (UNITEC) recently signed an Academic Training Agreement that created a new master's degree program in Tax and Customs Administration.

"The agreement's main objective is to form a highly trained human team in all areas that are of key importance within the DEI. By doing so, we expect to optimize income tax collection, and consequently investment in the country's development," said DEI's executive director, Jorge Illescas.

This month, 35 persons who were selected by the DEI and then evaluated by UNITEC will begin the two year program. 12 experts from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) along with a group of Honduran professionals will carry out the program at UNITEC's facilities in Tegucigalpa.

Illescas stated that the Lps. 1,887,000.00 cost of the program will be financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). 

Traditional parties negotiate power

By BLANCA MORENO

In the general election held on November 25, not only were the President and Mayors elected but also members of Congress. The National Party gained control of the parliament by a mere six seats, when 61 of their representatives were elected; 55 positions were won by the Liberal Party. Due to this meager majority, National Party President-elect Ricardo Maduro was forced to negotiate with the Liberal Party the distribution of posts within the three state powers.

Following a "lobbying" period, both parties agreed to assign the authorities of the General Comptroller's Office and the Office of Administrative Prohibity for only a six month period; during this time, the National Congress will create an Accounts Tribune that will merge both entities, and new officials will be chosen.
During his campaign, Maduro said he wanted members of the opposition to direct these institutions. However, after he won, he changed his mind, and gave in to political pressures.

A deep reform process will take place within these institutions, with the participation of three magistrates of the Supreme Court of Justice. 
According to the agreement reached between Maduro and Jorge Ramón Hernandez Alcerro (NP) and Jorge Arturo Reina, Manuel Zelaya Rosales and Jaime Rosenthal Oliva (LP), Liberals will support the election of "blue" congressman Porfirio Lobo Sosa as president of the legislative power. 

Maduro was unable to impose Luis Cosenza in the National Congress. Because he is a new member of the National Party, most of the wealthy families that manage this institution saw him as a threat, given his close friendship with NGO representatives. Maduro looked for somebody else instead, while vetoing the other candidate, Jorge Carranza. 

The reforms to take place include changes in the National Election Tribune and its separation from the National Registry of Persons, the reduction of political campaign periods, and modifications to the National Congress. The president of this power will no longer be able to run for President of the Republic. 

There is a general consensus on the need to totally transform the Supreme Court of Justice, considered the most corruptible institution. These changes will begin as soon as the 15 new magistrates are elected on January 25. 

Rumor has it that the National Party will elect eight magistrates, and the Liberals will do the same with the remaining seven. This means that the court will have a nationalist president.

Meanwhile, the so called "small" parties like Democratic Unification (UD), the Innovation and Unity Party (PINU) and the Christian Democrat Party (DC) will support constitutional reforms, however, it is still unknown what they will get in return.

In the end, most changes are not structural, but rather superficial, since politicians are still manipulating power. The only sure changes will be the new faces.



 

Despite repeated and numerous protests: Municipal Government approves Cangregal River Project

The Municipal Government of La Ceiba, in unanimous vote on Monday approved the construction of the Cangregral River Hydroelectric Project. Later, representatives of the company that will execute the project, Hydro Honduras, made a special presentation of the proposed project before the Atlantida Chamber of Commerce, in the hopes of receiving support in obtaining the necessary environmental license as well

Environmentalists have been protesting the project from it's inception due to the fact that the proposed project will dry up nearly 11 kilometers of the river and affect delicate ecosystems in the region that are vital to the tourist industry and life in general. The municipality approved the project on the grounds that it will generate additional income. It remains to be seen if required environmental permit is issued to Hydro-Honduras. -La Prensa

Legislature approves duty free vehicle for congressmen

In a prolonged session of Congress on Thursday night, the bill allowing the current and future legislatures the right to another duty free vehicle was passed. -El Heraldo

Maduro meets with Bush

President-elect Ricardo Maduro travelled to Washington, D.C. on Thursday to petition U.S. President George Bush the extension of the Temporary Protection Status of illegal Honduran immigrants in the United States. -El Heraldo

Environmental District Attorney proposes extending forestry closed season

Clarisa Vega, the District Attorney of Environment, has proposed extending protection of national forests with the objective of conserving watersheds that feed the nation's dams in an effort to offset droughts. Vegas stated President-elect Maduro's zero tolerance policy should be extended to water policy inasmuch as environmental infractions are concerned. -El HeraldoDistrict Attorney's office discredits five Supreme Court Magistrates. Early this week, the District Attorney, Roy Medina, sent to the Nominating Board of Supreme Court Magistrates a list of persons seeking election as Magistrates who are currently facing criminal or civil charges. Included on the list are the names of five current Supreme Magistrates: Miguel Angel Rivera Portillo, Manuel Enrique Alvarado Casco, Edgardo Caceres Castellanos, Ivis Antonio Discua Barillas and Jose Maria Palacios Mejia. Former magistrates mentioned are: Rigoberto Espinal Irias, Jose Eduardo Gauggel Rivas, Armando Ramón Hernandez Mount, and Blanca Esmeralda Valladares. Judges listed are Rita Ondina Nunez, Maria Antonieta Mendoza and Jesus Eloy Montes. Other names included were Leonardo Matute Murillo, Vilma Morales Montalvan, Carlos Torres Lopez, Godofredo Alvarado Casco, Omar Cerna Garcia, Raul Antonio Henriquez, Carlos Africo Madrid Hart, Porfirio Orellana Morales, Ricardo Alberto Zavala Lardizabal and Emil Hawit Banegas.

According to the Magistrate Ivis Antonio Discua Barillas, Medina violated the Public Ministry's law prohibiting the divulgation of information that might affect police investigations or infringe individual rights.-El Heraldo

Brenda Jamileth Perez:
An economic model to overcome

Brenda Perez wearing a star shirt, the latest.... fashion.

By MARIO GUTIERREZ M.

Fast with answers, Brenda, the little one who leaves home to wash car windows, agreed to give us a paid interview with the purpose of sharing her aspirations, and the way she visualized her economic and social situation at the end of the year 2001.

At eight, she can't remember the day and month of her birthday. We wonder if Brenda is related to Shimon Perez, Israel's former First Minister, but then we thought we should actually avoid making external conclusions. What we do know for sure, is that the name Peres or Perez is Sephardim.

First we were motivated by the idea of illustrating somehow economic models with our model, Brenda. She can be described as a girl who studies the present and the future, and who will feature in the history of Honduras as soon as she turns old enough and she gathers enough knowledge.

Brenda: "Fashion colors for this new year will be blue, white, black and red.

We must make clear that Brenda, as well as the author of this article were both excluded from the technical equipments of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Therefore, we publicly ask readers not to blame us for the success they have achieved in our country.

HTW: What school do you study at?
BJ: At the Fuerzas Unidas School.
HTW: Profession?
BJ: I would like to be a model and work as a secretary.
HTW: Do you have a television?
BJ: Yes, I have one black and white TV.
HTW: How many brothers and sisters de you have?
BJ: Me and three more.
HTW: Where do you live?
BJ: At the Nueva Capital barrio.
HTW: How much money do you earn in one day?
BJ: Between Lps. 150 to 200 (a little more than $10)
HTW: What is a model?
BJ: It's a pretty and hard working girl.
HTW: Speaking of fabrics, which ones are your favorites for this coming season?
BJ: Blue, white, black and red.
HTW: You favorite color?
BJ: White.
HTW: How many pairs of shoes do you have?
BJ: Five.
HTW: What are you doing on the night of December 24?
BJ: Have tamales for dinner and then go to bed.
HTW: Do you have a Christmas tree?
BJ: Yes, I have one.
HTW: Would you like to see your pictures in the newspaper?
BJ: Yes, I would like to see my pictures in La Tribuna daily.
HTW: What is your most precious dream?
BJ: To help my mother.
HTW: Do you want to be a nun?
BJ: No.
HTW: Will you keep on studying?
BJ: Yes, until I graduate.
HTW: Where do you sleep?
BJ: At home, but tonight I'm staying at the boulevard, right here at the Kodak corner.
HTW: What do you do to earn money?
BJ: I wash the windows of the cars that go by.
HTW: How many windows do you wash per day?
BJ: Between 15 to 20 windows per day.
HTW: What is the piece of clothes you like the best?
BJ: Pants.
HTW: Are you going to be a mom when you get married?
BJ: No, I am not going to be a mom, I am not going to get married. I will always be with my mom.
HTW: Do you like shawls?
BJ: Yes.
HTW: Do you like purses?
BJ: Yes I do, I prefer brown purses.
HTW: Do you have a dad?
BJ: He sold all the things to my mom. He is a mason and now lives in the south. 
HTW: Do you have a house of your own?
BJ: Yes, we rent it. Where I live, people get murdered after 4 p.m. until the morning of the next day.
HTW: Where have you seen models?
BJ: On the X 0 Da Dinero television program.
HTW: How do they look?
BJ: They have long, black hair, light colored eyes, pretty eyes like mine, they are thin, short and tall. They have a good time because they are Mr. X-0's daughters. 
HTW: Would you like to have a car?
BJ: I wouldn't like to have a car just not to turn over.
HTW: What do you do at home?
BJ: I clean up, wash, iron, only the family's clothes.
HTW: Where does you mom work?
BJ: She has her own snack stand (chiclera).
HTW: What did you ask Santa Claus for Christmas?
BJ: A pair of bell-bottom pants for me and another one for my little sister.
HTW: How does the year 2002 come to you?
BJ: Work, buy a house where there is no danger.
HTW: Who do you talk to, Santa Claus or to the Baby Jesus?
BJ: The Baby Jesus.
HTW: What church do you go to?
BJ: To the Pentecostal De Miss Amours Church.
HTW: Any pets?
BJ: A cat named Otis and a little female dog named Estelle. That's all?

It's 12:15 m. of the 24 of December, 2001. We were surprised by the way the interviewed one cooperates with us.
For big planners, it has been difficult to adjust economic models to each country. Brenda, our model, has perfectly adjusted to the labor conditions imposed by the journalist, yet not to the world economy.

We found a lot of subtleness in Brenda's answers. In addition, we noticed family disintegration, informal economy and social disorder. Fortunately, we also rescued some positive aspects such as familial solidarity, care of pets, good orientation in answering.

The short term model for the year 2002 is more unpredictable than ever. The war against terrorism will have serious effects on our country. The world currency ...?

The effects of globalization and tropicalization of economies have had a hard impact on our society. We must add that our analysts have preferred foreign products over the modest local industry, thus consolidating the globalization economy.

For Brenda and for Honduras, problems are about food, clothes and housing in the short term. Economic models work perfectly in the papers of Harvard boys, but they are very unlikely to benefit Brenda, the model of the borrowed clothes.



Foreign affairs and diplomacy in Honduras in the 21st century

By H. ROBERTO HERRERA CACERES
Special to Honduras This Week

In the dawn of the 21st century, Honduras is being oriented by a strategy that will permit, in 20 years, a new country design. The strength and vigor of this tendency stems from society's desires, actions and expectations that successive governments assure an integrated sustainable development of our country by means of internal politics with strategies and action plans that make it feasible as well as long term, with coherence and productivity, through foreign policy.

A foreign policy with this reach, more than just the simple position of the Executive Power, means the commitment of every form of the Honduran government, expressed and observed unitarily by the three Powers of States, to be directed and executed, by the President of the Republic and the Secretary of State in the Department of Foreign Affairs.

However, the management and execution of foreign policy, in the 21st century, requires more dedication and work than in the past. Today, almost all international assurances have been converted into uncertainties. Globalization provides new horizons of possibilities, new problems to solve, new players with whom to deal, and the need to affirm national identity even more.

In this complex environment, the democratic State of Law that is attempting to consolidate in Honduras, should define its foreign policy, by choosing and also taking advantage of opportunities that will allow the country to position itself internationally in a productive way, within that globalization. 

This national interest defines the need for a renewed, creative and responsible diplomacy, in accordance with the needs of our country; international transformations must form part of the definition and the execution of the foreign policy of the State of Honduras.

All this implies a diplomacy supported by a government structure possessing a central base of execution of foreign policy (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) that is integrated, for its good functioning, by more coherent teams of career diplomats and other professional specialists that are hired or named as administrative functionaries, and with clear rules concerning incomes, permanence and promotion. In this sense, it is useful to remember that particular to all efficient diplomatic services, is the development of its administration not only at a national level, but also, along the lines of development of the administrations of foreign diplomacies. 

The objective to achieve is a diplomacy with execution mechanisms characterized by results that favor the progressive improvement of the quality of life of the Honduran population. With this in mind, innovation and the continuous improvement of diplomacy must begin in the Chancellery, which at the same time, must consequently abandon its current bureaucratic molds of organization and management and substitute them with an efficient, flexible and expedite management style and mechanisms. These include consultation committees integrated by representatives participation of the private and other important sectors of society; and on the other hand, promote the organization and efficient management of a competitive cabinet, integrated by government representatives that work in the areas of international cooperation, exports, science and technology, culture and tourism.

A Chancellery that, with its diplomatic and administrative services, constitutes an open, flexible, dynamic and rationally coordinated organization that possesses appropriate communications technology, capable of constantly benefiting from information, and converting it into knowledge that can be projected into the world in accordance with our government plans and country objectives; with strategic alliances that permit the advancement of our shared interests with other countries to improve the human condition and to strengthen and widen the positive side of the globalization of international relations. 

We need a diplomatic instrument formed by profession diplomats as well as non-professionals, to put our foreign policy into action. The professionals possess the experience and knowledge of the normal processes of bilateral and multilateral relations, the capacity to comprehend the reactions of other States and their own, and a greater interest in making this work in the short term with a perspective in the long term. Non-professionals express an interest in service in a more personalized and temporary environs. 
The denominator of both is service, in a determined historic moment, in the execution of foreign policy adopted by the elected Government for the corresponding period; which supposes, in every case, the basic responsibility of possessing clear knowledge of the national situation, the country, its internal and external politics, its resources and necessities, of the constitutional objective of the Honduran State and the international scene. These are indispensable mission guides that correspond to diplomats in the international arena, giving them fundamental credentials to act, with credibility, with a geo-political, geo-economical and geo-strategic focus necessary for current international relations. 

This requires, more than the sudden appearance of providential and messianic men and women, a rank of interdisciplinary professionals of diplomacy who can better coordinate multilateral actions that include the new and essential social actors in their international nets of organizations and members of society from other countries; relationships with whom can be categorized as informal diplomacy (private sector, non-governmental organizations, worker's unions, political parties and Hondurans living abroad).

In light of the above, the diplomatic career should renovate the focus of its mission by taking in account its function, centered in the dignity of national representation, exclusively directed to promoting the integral development of Honduras; conscious of the responsibility of the function of promoting agent of cooperation and development exchange, and adopt habits and behavior that will permit recognition as the coordinator and coherent and efficient facilitator of national action, valid abroad.

Diplomacy in these new times for Honduras, requires better preparation for representation and international negotiations; for the prospecting and promotion of information, commerce, capital and foreign technologies; for the maintenance and development of international relations in the economic, social, cultural, environmental and scientific-technology areas; and to this effect I petition compatriots in foreign lands that in this century they should, more than be protected by their current situation, be stimulated in their progress in the places where they live and work and be recognized for their permanent interest in their family, their solidarity with their compatriots and their ties to their homeland, facilitating their participation in the national effort of integral development and the competitive participation of Honduras in the international economy.

In this direction, it is necessary to redefine relations that until now have been distant between our diplomatic missions and consulates whose functions, except for the representation of State, have necessary points of coincidence that should be articulated in a functional manner under the coordination of a diplomatic agent so as to manage integrally and efficiently international relations. This aspects determines the need to recycle knowledge and attitudes with regards to the needs of the 21st century and the new mental categories flourishing under globalization.

In summary, a Chancellery with embassies or diplomatic missions and consulates functionally organized is essential. These should be staffed with modern and participative management styles and a favorable attitude towards information technology and communications, thus giving more life and efficiency to all services and ties abroad, with competent personnel, taking responsibility for the essential components that benefit Honduras and the human side of national and international society, and consequently, the ineludible mandate of this and future governments.

Government will not authorize increase in price of transportation

On Monday the government responded with a definite no to price increases in the cost of urban bus and taxi transportation. The transportation sector had petitioned a Lps. 1.00 increase in urban transportation and a 20% increase in the cost of inter-urban transport. —La Tribuna

Catholic church prepares to protest deforestation in Olancho

On Monday, representatives of the Catholic Church in Olancho demanded government intervention to stop the alarming rate of destruction of forests in that Department. Father Andres Tamayo estimates that at least 70 truckloads of wood are removed every day during daylight hours, and even more at night. “We insist in denouncing these actions so that international organizations and foreign governments learn the truth about the destruction and the consequent increasing rate of poverty in the area.”—La Tribuna

Comptroller’s Office cites Hung Pacheco

The Office of the General Comptroller has given retired General Hung Pacheco until the 15th of the month to present evidence justifying management of special Central Bank accounts while he was Chief of the Armed Forces. According to earlier reports Hung Pacheco amongst others managed special expense accounts of up to Lps. 20 million that have not be accounted for. —La Tribuna

Public Ministry will process Minister of Security

The Public Ministry announced on Thursday it will take criminal legal action against the Minister of Security, Gautama Fonseca for abuse of authority and violation of functions. According to the Ministry, Fonseca allowed four prisoners to leave the Ocotepeque jail with special permission so as to perform special missions along the Guatemalan and Nicaraguan borders. —La Tribuna

Bolaños sworn in as President of Nicaragua

Enrique Bolaños, 73, was sworn in as President of Nicaragua on Thursday, for a five-year term of office. During his inauguration, Bolaños stated he plans to keep all his campaign promises. Bolaños is also scheduled to meet with President-elect Maduro in Copan after the latter is sworn in as President of Honduras; they plan to discuss the elimination of the current 35% export tax on Honduran goods to Nicaragua. —La Tribuna

Former President Callejas will go to court

“Once the new Penal Process Code is in place, on February 22, I will present myself to the courts so as to bring to closure the accusations and political persecution against me,” stated former president, Rafael Leonardo Callejas on Tuesday. Callejas also said he has no plans to form part of the new government taking possession on January 27, but will concentrate instead on his role as President of the National Party’s Political Commission. —La Tribuna
 

2001 Year in Review

By BLANCA MORENO

During the year 2001, Honduras lived a series of both positive and negative events. However, the appointment of Oscar Andres Rodriguez as Cardinal, the victory of nationalist presidential candidate Ricardo Maduro and the kidnapping wave that shattered several Honduran families, without a doubt, caused the greater impact.

On January 7, Tiffany Richards, the child of a U.S. citizen was released when her kidnappers realized that the FBI was investigating the case. On the 31st, businessman Emilio Bandy Larach reappeared in bad condition, after his family paid a total amount of US$78 thousand for his rescue. On February 21, Tegucigalpa Archbishop Oscar Andres Rodriguez was appointed Cardinal at Saint Peter’s Basilica or the Vatican in Rome in the presence of Pope John Paul II. Hundreds of Hondurans, including president Carlos Flores, attended the event. 

On March 5, the former Chief of the Armed Forces, Luis Alonso Discua Elvir, Honduran delegate to the United Nation, had to leave the United States abruptly, when immigration authorities canceled his diplomatic visa. That month, two female teenagers were released by their kidnappers.In April, Guatemalan priest Eduardo Velasquez was expelled from the country, after leading a series of scandalous acts in the quiet community of Ajuterique, Comayagua. Accidents near the beaches increased considerably during Easter Week vacations. On May 23, Dominican Republic Hipolito Mejia made an official visit to Honduras.In June, the Banco Hondureno de Credito y Servicios S.A. (BANCHRESER) declared bankruptcy due to financial liquidity problems and insolvency. Civil security became uncontrollable: San Pedro Sula businessman Pedro Felipe Canahuati was shot to death right on a public street.

In the seventh month of the year, the General Comptroller of the Republic announced that the Honduran Social Investment Fund (FOSOVI), was bankrupt. As a result of dubious negotiations, all Fosovi’s lands ended up belonging to Mario Facusse.On August 15, Chancellor Roberto Flores Bermudez denounced Salvadoran diplomats as spys. Throughout September, Honduras expressed its solidarity to the government and people of the United States. At the end of October, floods were registered in the Departments of Colon, Atlantida, Cortes, Santa Barbara and Yoro, bringing death and destruction of plantations. The government decreed a state of emergency.

On November 25, Ricardo Maduro proclaimed himself elected President of Honduras, after defeating his rival from the Liberal Party, Rafael Pineda Ponce. Meanwhile, businesswoman Georgette Chahin was released in San Pedro Sula, after millions in ransom were paid.

President Carlos Flores vetoed the creation of the Popular Bank bill on December 13, which was facing opposition from the private sector as well as international organisms.

Lessons learned from recent flooding

By WENDY GRIFFIN

Some people on the North Coast say, “This (recent rains from the passing of Hurricane Michelle) was worse than Mitch.” But in fact steps taken after Mitch made this crisis much less serious than Mitch.

During Mitch, the electric lines going to Trujillo snapped like match sticks. Trujillo was without power for two months. During the recent storm, the electricity did not even go out (Thank you ENEE), although it was out afterwards for repairs. The phones also did not go out. God bless the country that paid for Hondutel to put in phones in Garifuna towns all the way to Sangrelaya. This way we knew what was happening with them immediately instead of having to wait until the surf went down enough for someone to be able to leave by canoe. Radio Catolica not only passed on these reports, but also weather reports they received by Internet.
On the Trujillo to La Ceiba road which during Mitch and again during Tropical Storm Katrina broke in over 15 places, all of the repairs held up. Within four days of the storm, the Santa Rosa de Aguan bus was running again. The bus that used to run the La Ceiba-Santa Rosa route before Mitch is still stuck in the Aguan River. Moving communities to safer areas and having clear evacuation plans also seemed to help so that there were few deaths with Michelle. By Wednesday only 7 deaths were reported, all in Yoro.

The bad news is that this year’s bad weather in Honduras and its effects follow the scenario that ecologists say will happen with deforestation. After deforestation, there is a lot of erosion which made the rivers a lot shallower after Mitch. With deforestation, there is less rain and the crops die as happened in much of Honduras earlier this year. People are deforesting areas not appropriate for bean and corn agriculture for their houses and milpas.

When the rains do come, they run into the rivers faster, because there are few trees to stop them. The shallower rivers flood more easily. In two out of the three years since Mitch there has been serious flooding during the October/November rainy season on the North Coast. There need to “zonas de alivio”, places for the water to go where people are not living like the wetlands of the Punta Sal park. 

Dikes (bordos) used mostly in Northeastern Honduras seem to be a make shift solution at best. Sometimes the water seeps through the dikes. Sometimes the dikes break. In one case the dike prevented the water from draining and had to be broken to allow drainage. In the Valley of Sula L770 million lempiras have been spent on repairing dikes. Government agencies are launching investigations to find out if there has been negligence, fraud, or embezzlement in relation to these public works.
Two towns present special problems. La Lima is the capital of banana growing in Honduras for the Tela Railroad Company, a subsidiary of Chiquita. It has a population of 90,000 people. Projects proposed after Mitch to protect the town were not carried out. The Municipality of La Lima was given L7 million lempiras to relocate people who live in low lying parts, according to the local daily El Tiempo and they were not relocated. A multimillion dollar project has been proposed to divert part of the river so that it floods other areas instead of the urban center of La Lima.
Santa Rosa de Aguan, a Garifuna town east of Trujillo, lost several streets to the sea and 30 acres of land to the Aguan River and Laguna de Lirios during Mitch. While its sister town of Barra de Aguan has been relocated 5 kilometers from the beach, three years after Mitch Santa Rosa de Aguan still has not rebuilt. The problem is where to rebuild.

The community requested that it be relocated about 30 minutes walk along the beach to a place called La Planada. Land was bought for a housing project. But international agencies are concerned if Santa Rosa or even la Planada is still a viable location for a town. On one side they have the Aguan River which is no longer stable. It changes its mouth and floods more easily than it used to in heavy rains.

On the northern side they have the sea. Dunes protect them on that side, but even the people in Aguan recognize that sand is not stable. One woman during Mitch stood on a high dune. Then the sea pounded away at the dune. Finally it developed like a whirlpool eating away at the dune on all side, then it swept the woman out to sea reported Alberto Castillo of ODECO.
During Michelle’s passing at least two more houses in Santa Rosa were swept away into the sea.

The Garifunas of Santa Rosa still want to live near the sea, even if they have to move to higher ground past La Planada. But it is prohibitively expensive to build a new major housing project for people who lost houses during Mitch without a road. AT least 100 houses are needed. A marathon to collect money was held in Garifuna towns, and the road was started but not finished.
The recent problems with floods supports the argument of the Garifuna organization ODECO for rebuilding Santa Rosa on the coast but with a new road. They say the problem is not that Santa Rosa floods. La Lima floods. La Ceiba floods. No one is saying these towns should be moved.

The problem in Santa Rosa with a population of approximately 5,000 people is that without a road, there is not way to evacuate people to somewhere else. The new road would connect to a highway to Bonito Oriental.  Garifuna towns as far as Iriona are in the process of receiving a new road built by USAID.

In Garifuna towns, there is also a trend to change the architecture, so that the houses resist floods and storms better. For example in Sangrelaya there are repairing their yagua wood houses by putting a cement base on them. Most of the houses built after Mitch were of cement blocks and they were not destroyed by Michelle’s passing.

Honduras has shown that it has improved its ability to deal with storms and floods. This is important, because with the rivers still heavily silted after Mitch, the floods seem likely to continue.