MEDIA REACTION: FREE TRADE OF THE AMERICAS

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 003062 SIPDIS FOR PD/WHA (MBUCKLEY) INFO IIP EMBASSIES FOR PAOS, APAOS, Ios, E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KPAO HO PA SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: FREE TRADE OF THE AMERICAS ¶1. Orlando Henrquez writing in "La Tribuna" Tegucigalpa- based daily (11/05): "The Free Trade of the Americas even though it is viewed with skepticism and opposition by many Latin American countries, especially for the subsidy that U.S. agricultural sectors receive-- the treaty is an irreversible reality." Honduras is an abandoned, wretched and beggared country with no authority to reject the treaty or not participate in it." "But we should be conscious that if we do not start seeking now a formula to be part of the treaty-- when it becomes a reality-- we will be undressed and helpless." The Free Trade Agreement could provide us unanticipated benefits if we can manage it as a tool of progress." ¶2. Marel Medina Bardales writing in "Tiempo" the San Pedro Sula-based daily (11/05): "The Lover of the Free Trade of the Americas" The FTAA is a two-faced phenomenon-- One face is smooth and with pieces of jewelry as well as hellacious avenues, the other is rugged and wrinkled". That is why many organizations such as the Nicaraguan organization MANANFA, Sinti-Techan from El Salvador, Guatemalan Native and Rural Coordinator, Honduran Community Commercialization Network, and the Honduran Popular Group have been protesting against the FTAA. "It is not true that it brings sustainable and stable growth, or more or fewer job opportunities; it destroys the national sovereignty, it threatens the process of democracy and increases the external debt. It is a project that provides the control of our continent to benefit U.S., European and Asian transnational companies." Palmer