MEDIA REACTION ON CAFTA, OCTOBER 15, 2004

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002383

SIPDIS

DEPT. FOR WHA/PD; IIP/G/WHA DIPASQUALE; AND IIP/T/ES
DEPT. FOR EB/TPP DCLUNE, WHA/EPSC AND WHA/CEN
DEPT. PASS USTR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KPAO ETRD HO USTR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON CAFTA, OCTOBER 15, 2004


1. Editorial in Tegucigalpa-based moderate daily "El
Heraldo" on 10/12, entitled "Towards CAFTA." "The warning
about the negative consequences of CAFTA made by the World
Bank and the turn this issue may take if Bush loses the
November elections should be a matter of concern and of
immediate action for the governments of the region,
particularly for Honduras."

"Although the toughest opponents of CAFTA, the FTAA and the
whole globalization process have been the so-called
`globophobics', a diverse mixture of Orthodox Marxists,
conservatives and hard-line nationalists, the truth is that
they've now been joined by other moderate sectors that have
found flaws in these agreements, as well as agricultural
producers that would be the most affected, as has been
acknowledged by the WB."

"As a matter of fact, the Democratic candidate for the U.S.
presidency, John Kerry, has warned that if he's elected,
he'll push for a renegotiation, as was confirmed by
Congressmen Dennis Kucinich and Hilda Solis last week."

"The Honduran government needs to create a framework to
improve production, to take advantage of open markets, to
assist those who would be affected, and to get ready for an
eventual renegotiation that would correct the mistakes of
the current agreement, which would improve our balance of
costs and benefits."

Pierce