Letter from Ambassador Hugo Llorens to Radio Globo

October 5, 2009

Mr. Alejandro Villatoro
Owner, Radio Globo
Boulevard Morazan
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C

Mr. Villatoro:

It is with astonishment and incomprehension that I write to you. I refer to a broadcast commentary by your journalist and news director David Romero which was aired on September 25, in which Mr. Romero denounced Jews and Israelis as "people that do damage in this country." Particularly disgusting was the admiration he implied for Adolf Hitler: "After what I have learned, I ask myself why, why didn't we let Hitler carry out his historic mission?"

Mr. Villatorio, Hitler's concentration camps and Holocaust constitute one of the most shameful acts of human history. How can it be that your station employs as its news director a man who does not understand this?Torture and murder were committed against millions of innocent people. Mr. Romero's commentary makes a mockery of any pretense he may have of solidarity with people who struggle against injustice.

I cannot help but note the irony that you and Mr. Romero came to visit me last week to seek support after your station was closed by the de facto authorities. I have spoken out clearly and will continue to do so that the decree under which your station was closed is wrong. Radio Globo deserves to be on the air. The right of free speech must not be abridged, but with it goes the responsibility to speak truthfully and soberly. Does Radio Globo accept its moral responsibility? Will you join me in denouncing this appalling act that was committed on your airwaves?

Sincerely,

Hugo Llorens