Despite the fact that the government of Honduras did not welcome our visit and support to the marchers, CIP went ahead and in coordination with the co-organizers of the March, MAO and COFADEH, organized a cluster of activities in solidarity with the March for Life.

Robert White, Robert Edgar, Allen Andersson, Joseph Eldridge

The Center hired two Honduran professionals to assist them in organizing two key events and launching a media campaign to support the themes of the March. Thanks to their support, CIP received daily news updates about the development of the March, purchased radio spots, commissioned a timely press release and published an International Policy Report on illegal logging in a widely-read honduran newspaper, conducted press releases and orchestrated national and international media --National Public Radio and Miami Herald--coverage of the march and the delegation’s visit to Honduras.

CIP hosted a welcome reception at the Marriot for the US delegates on the evening of June 30th to facilitate the mingling of government ministers and national leaders with Padre Tamayo and his supporters. Over 200 representatives from the government, international organizations, the diplomatic sector, and NGO’s alike were invited. Although Honduran officialdom boycotted the event, many key political and diplomatic figures attended, including the surprising presence of president of Congress, Porfirio Lobo. We were informed by reliable sources that the government warned the international NGO and diplomatic community not to attend because of imagined security concerns.

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend delighting the crowd

Each delegate delivered another short speech emphasizing the values and principles of democracy, the rule of law, civil rights, while caring for a clean environment and the conservation of natural resources. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend was particularly effective to address her remarks directly to the president of Congress. To a delighted audience, well aware of Lobo’s close ties to the logging industry, Kathleen described how in a conversation earlier that evening, Lobo had told her of his commitment to the defense of the forests and his promise to her to use his power to advance environmental protection and human rights. She invited him to step up to the challenge.

On Thursday, July 1, CIP’s media consultant and coordinator arranged a live TV interview for Allen Andersson and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend on Renato Álvarez’s popular morning news program, Frente a Frente. The government of Honduras, fearful of the delegates’ declarations going uncontested, arranged to have the Minister of Agriculture participate in the program. The participants engaged in an interesting and candid debate. Both US delegates stressed that a society must be law-abiding and corruption-free in order to attract business investments. They also reaffirmed our support of those fighting to save the forests of Honduras and to protect the rights of all its citizens.

Reverend Joseph Eldridge addressing the press

After the interview, all of the delegates participated in a press conference at the hotel. A farewell breakfast immediately followed. Only members of the NGO community were invited and attended the event. Honduran human rights commissioner Ramón Custodio and Padre Tamayo were the guests of honor and both delivered tremendous speeches.

After breakfast, the US delegation met with Minister of the Presidency Luis Cosenza, and then later that afternoon, with President Maduro at the Presidential House. At the meeting with the President, the delegates reiterated our hope that he would meet with Padre Tamayo and begin a dialogue that would quickly lead to concrete measures. That afternoon, the President received Padre Tamayo and co-organizers of the March.

Delegates with Honduran President Ricardo Maduro (center), Photo courtesy of the National Council of Churches

TRIP REPORT HOME
BACKGROUND
CIP’S OBJECTIVES IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE MARCH FOR LIFE
A PRELUDE TO THE SECOND MARCH FOR LIFE, JUNE 24-30, 2004
HIGHLIGHTS
RESULTS
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS POST-MARCH
PROGRAM STAFF AND COLLABORATORS
CIP’S STRATEGY AND NEXT STEPS FOR THE PROGRAM