MEDIA REACTION: ANDEAN FREE TRADE

UNCLAS QUITO 002841 SIPDIS STATE FOR INR/R/MR, WHA, WHA/AND, WHA/PDA DIRONDCP FOR PA EMBASSIES FOR PAO/IO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL OPRC KIRC KPAO EC FTA SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: ANDEAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT; VENEZUELA; KYOTO PROTOCOL ¶1. "Peru's Decision on the FTA," an editorial (12/10) in Quito's leading centrist "El Comercio" (circ. 70,000) Quote: " . . . let's hope that Peru's decision and the upcoming Colombian one serve as an alert as to the huge risk [involved] in being left on the margins of neighbors that accept [free trade] negotiations in the end." ¶2. "Partners Go to the South," a column (12/10) by Grace Jaramillo in Quito's leading centrist "El Comercio" (circ. 70,000) Quote: ". . . The Andean community is in disorder and the US is not to blame, but rather a Bolivarian, President Hugo Chavez. . . The truth is that Chavez is a difficult phenomenon to understand. His need to accumulate geopolitical power (at least at the Latin American level) causes him to make sudden shifts of direction that lead to unforeseen consequences. . . "Chavez is tired of dealing with indecisive presidents such Palacio, who first make an approach and then withdraw . . . In the Andean community, there is no one left to play on his side. . ." ¶3. "Continuity of the Kyoto Protocol," a front page editorial (12/02) in Quito's center-left "Hoy" (circ. 38,500) Quote: ". . .Despite US resistance, the resolution that came out of this meeting [the UN Summit on Climate Change in Montreal] represents a step forward because it maintains the international commitment to reduce emissions of green house gases that cause global warming ... The agreement to continue down the path set by the Kyoto Protocol is a positive step for the entire world." JEWELL