MEDIA REACTION ON CAFTA, JUNE 25, 2003

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001495

SIPDIS

FOR PD/WHA (MBUCKLEY); IIP/G/WHA DIPASQUALE; EB/EPPD DCLUNE;
USTR AGASH
INFO IIP/T/ES
EMBASSIES FOR PAOS, IOs,

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KPAO HO PA ETRD USTR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON CAFTA, JUNE 25, 2003



1. Op-ed by Rodil Rivera on Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily
"La Tribuna" on 6/25 entitled "The Fifth Column of CAFTA".
". plain and simple, Guatemala is acting as the fifth column
of the U.S. negotiators, to force us to give in on the few
points where Central America has presented some resistance.
In other words, our Guatemalan `brothers' are helping to
twist our arm. If there remains any doubt about it, we only
need to read what Barbara Bowie-Whitman stated in the plain
words of trade specialists, `If anyone wants to be more
ambitious in its offer, we can reach an agreement faster'."

"About the chance of Guatemala withdrawing its proposal,
Regina Vargo answered for Salomon Cohen, the lead Guatemalan
negotiator, saying, `Guatemala can't do that, because it's
impossible to turn in a product offered with a zero-tariff
for one with a higher tariff. we can't go forward this way'.
This means that this is no longer a negotiation, it is a
mere puppet show where Vargo is a ventriloquist and Cohen
the U.S. puppet."

"Is there anything we can do against a decision already
taken by the U.S.? Is there any chance that CAFTA could
actually be somewhat beneficial for Honduras and Central
America, as some people think? I don't know. I'm firmly
convinced that this criticism may help our negotiators and
private entrepreneurs to do the best they can to get some
benefits from CAFTA and, at least, to exclude agricultural
products from the agreement."


Palmer