For the grand majority of countries July 14 passes unnoticed, but for the French this is a day of great national importance and in Honduras, the French Ambassador plans to celebrate despite being thousands of miles from home.

There are approximately 300 French nationals registered in Honduras today, quite a small number when one considers that French-Honduran relations first materialized nearly 150 years ago. This history of inter-dependence has led to a stable and consistent political relationship between the two governments, a relationship so strong in fact that Jacques Chirac was the first State Leader to visit a devastated Honduras after Hurricane Mitch in 1998. At that time, Honduras' national debt was estimated at $30 million and France pledged to do all in its power to cancel this huge deficit.

Not surprisingly, according to the Ambassador Frederic Basaguren, the cancellation of Honduran debt and the relief of poverty remain top of the French list of priorities. "About 65% of the Honduran population earn less than $2/day. France aims to combat this extreme poverty and in effect transform the country. We have made a lot of progress and it will continue." The quest to alleviate the suffering of the poor in Honduras has taken many forms, but is essentially centered on the amelioration of training facilities within the country and thus is an attempt to help Hondurans help themselves.

France has taken positive action in favor of the permanent training of police, an important step considering the reported level of corruption within the police force. Through reinforcing the police structure, the hope is that the police will come to depend more on civil power than on the army and will thus become a more effective entity. Basaguren insists that a main French focus is the battle against drugs, a problem rife in the grand majority of Central American countries. Yet French pro-activism does not stop here.

There is in fact a French high school in Tegucigalpa, and despite the small numbers, its importance for the promotion of French-Honduran unity cannot be overstated. Each year approximately ten students are given the opportunity to study for a French diploma, an invaluable opportunity given the power of education. Reinforcement of social cohesion and the promotion of integration between the countries of Central America has its limits, yet coupled with greater political co-operation and the promotion of a free trade zone, the French government is confident that the future for Honduras is bright.

Basaguren's role in Honduras however is not a solitary one. He works in perfect harmony with his European colleagues, as one of Europe's principal policies is the development of third world countries. It is in fact through the European Union that the greatest amount of French capital and co-operation is provided. Undeniably, social and economic conditions in Honduras have improved rapidly and despite the forthcoming presidential elections in France, Basaguren confirmed that France's role in Honduras will not change. "No matter what government is in power, our foreign policy remains unanimous. The development of third world countries is a top priority for all western countries."

On a non-governmental level, it is important to recognize the invaluable role the French Alliance plays in Honduras. By promoting French culture among the strong French community here, and in helping French nationals adapt to Honduran culture, the Alliance helps ensure continued French-Honduran unity and a prosperous future.