Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04TEGUCIGALPA2831
2004-12-23 16:20:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION ON CAFTA, DECEMBER 22, 2004

Tags:  OIIP KPAO ETRD HO USTR 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002831 

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, DECEMBER 22, 2004


UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002831

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, DECEMBER 22, 2004



1. Editorial in Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna"
on 12/22, entitled "Let's get it over with." "As we said
before, El Salvador has already fulfilled their duty by
ratifying CAFTA. In Honduras, the pressure has increased to
follow that example, while the Congress has said that once
it is back from the Christmas celebrations and before the
end of the year, the treaty will be discussed and approved."

"President Maduro has also joined the lobbying parade to
request prompt ratification, and along with some business
groups, he has warned about the negative consequences of non-
ratification, such as the closing of the border with El
Salvador and the eventual departure of the maquila industry
once the benefits of CBI end."

"As can be seen, the reasons given for approving CAFTA
aren't related to how we'll benefit from it, but to how
badly we'll do if we're left out, which has proven to be a
convincing argument."

"After the ratification of CAFTA, the Central American
presidents will probably go to the U.S. to convince Congress
to ratify it as well. So, we need to hurry, and later we
will find out how CAFTA affects us and whether it damages or
benefits us. As we have said, we hope its benefits surpass
the disadvantages."


2. Editorial in Tegucigalpa-based moderate daily "El
Heraldo" on 12/22, titled "Ratification of CAFTA." "CAFTA
is more of an opportunity than a threat, and Congress
shouldn't waste any more time before beginning its
discussion and approving it as soon as possible."

"The opposition to CAFTA, to FTAA, and to the whole
globalization trend is based on those called globophobics,
usually made up of a mixture of orthodox Marxists,
conservatives, and hard-core nationalists. Obviously, these
groups are so engaged in their own ideology that it prevents
them from seeing the advantages of free trade, not only for
producers of poor countries but also for consumers who will
have access to more jobs and high-quality products at lower
prices."

"The Honduran Congress should approve CAFTA before the U.S.
Congress does, which will probably happen in February, not
only to contribute to creating a favorable environment in
Central America, but also to immediately attract the
attention of international investors."


3. Editorial in San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "La
Prensa" on 12/22, entitled "CAFTA." "The ratification of
CAFTA is the next controversial issue on the agenda of
Congress. According to certain sources in Congress, the
final text will be presented next week for discussion."

"There's no doubt that, as in any commercial negotiation,
the agreement has two sides, two angles, but the right
course would be to direct the analysis to a search for the
benefits that will outweigh the damage that some productive
sectors may suffer. The worst damage to Honduras would be
to be left out of a global economy that moves freely through
national borders."

"The benefits of this agreement go beyond the harm to
certain sectors, and some of those are protected by the
treaty. The challenge is significant. If we don't take it
on, it would be as if we turned our backs on history to be
left out of a global economy in detriment to the majority of
Hondurans who depend on their salaries."

Palmer