Silence Over Honduras Reporters Deaths Worries UN

TEGUCIGALPA (AP) The U.N."s independent expert on freedom of speech says he worries the Honduran government remains tight-lipped on the killings of 23 journalists over the past four years. Frank La Rue sees an "excessive silence" among authorities in the violent deaths of reporters. He said Wednesday the crimes against the press cannot be blamed on officials but that there is a lack of investigation on their part. Honduran President Porfirio Lobo has unsuccessfully asked for help from the FBI and Spanish officials to solve the crimes. Only three of the killings have been cleared up since 2007. The violence-plagued nation of 7.7 million is one of the worst for press freedom in the hemisphere, according to the Inter American Press Association.