Media and Public React to Ambassador’s Speech Calling for More Action on Crime
March 13, 2008

*****

Ambassador Charles L. Glazer’s March 5 remarks calling for private sector action on crime generated a substantial positive reaction from the public and the media.  A multiplicity of news articles, editorials and Op-Eds applauded the speech and a wide ranging debate on the judicial system and the crime problem in El Salvador opened up again.

Most media reports and public officials who commented on the speech supported the Ambassador’s calls for a change of attitude by private business on their role in fighting crime, and for greater efficiency and elimination of corruption in the judiciary.

The following are headlines published following the remarks:

Media Coverage of
Ambassador Charles L. Glazer’s Remarks
American Chamber of Commerce’s “Breakfast of the Month”, March 5, 2008

La Prensa Grafica
 “US launches new alert on crime- Ambassador Glazer calls again for extradition”
The newspaper highlights three areas of the speech – public security, judicial corruption, and the call to the private and business sector to get involved in the fight against crime.  It also highlights three calls to action by the remarks – the need for wiretapping and asset forfeiture laws and approval of a new penal code.  Three areas of U.S. assistance in the commercial and social development area – in particular USAID and the Millennium Challenge Corporation and assistance in the area of public security with the International Law Enforcement Academy.

El Diario de Hoy
“US Ambassador questions judges”
The article contains extensive quotes from the speech covering public security, corruption and inefficiency, and the call to the private sector to get involved.
Coverage included separate articles – “Demands more security on buses and on the streets” “Urges penal legislation, extradition treaty and wiretapping.”

El Mundo
 “Insecurity costs $2,100 million”
US Ambassador Charles Glazer said that the cost of crime is 11% of the GDP and calls it a “hidden tax.”
Separate articles – “We work with governments, not parties” – highlighting parts of the speech having to do with elections.  The article contained a quote on supporting politics which strengthen human rights, commerce and a market economy.  On the question asked of the Ambassador about an FLMN victory in the elections, the quote “We work with governments not parties” was carried.

MAS
 “Ambassador asks to work together.” 
The article carried the theme that there must be a modern judicial system that guarantees transparency and the application of the law.

Diario Co-Latino
“The US calls on private sector to take action against crime and take back the streets.”
They reported a reaction from Benito Lara, an FMLN legislator, who said that the Ambassador’s statement (referring to the speech) shows that delinquency is the main problem that affects Salvadorans.  He also said that it openly shows that the government’s public security policy is a failure.  He did not agree that a new criminal code should be approved.  The FMLN legislator called the new penal code a new form of the “Plan Mano Dura,” and said that the issue would have to be discussed.