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