MEDIA REACTION ON CAFTA, JULY 18, 2003

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001709

SIPDIS

FOR PD/WHA (JGREENBLATT); 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, JULY 18, 2003



1. Editorial in Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna" on
7/18 entitled "Overwhelming". "The Central American presidents
agreed in their latest summit in Guatemala on a common position
to move forward on the CAFTA negotiations, and to establish a
common ground to start negotiations for a free trade agreement
with the EU."

"The Guatemalan President inaugurated the summit warning that the
Central American integration `is a crucial step, and
globalization will overwhelm us if we are divided'."

"If we have advanced in this matter, we hope it happens likewise
regarding other integration issues. This experience should teach
us that we shouldn't wait to have a crisis that could have easily
be avoided if the presidents had provided their political backing
since the beginning of the negotiations."


Palmer