Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05TEGUCIGALPA1204
2005-06-06 20:35:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION ON CAFTA, JUNE 06, 2005

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 001204 

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, JUNE 06, 2005


UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001204

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, JUNE 06, 2005



1. On 06/04 the Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna"
published an editorial entitled "Grace period." "President
Bush asked the U.S. Congress for CAFTA-DR's ratification as
a measure to give the U.S economy and regional democracy a
major boost."

"Congresses in Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Nicaragua
have not yet ratified CAFTA. U.S senators and congressmen
are afraid that there will be negative consequences for U.S
workers. In Central America, social sectors oppose it but
governments are deaf to the peoples' voices because CAFTA
will be ratified."

"The region has a grace period in which it can get
accustomed to the new competitive situation and if this is
not accomplished, agricultural production will have to
compete on equal footing with the North American monster."

"All presidents in favor of CAFTA will have to explain to
their countries their agricultural conversion plan. Once the
grace period is gone and appropriate competitive levels are
not reached, we will become consumption markets. Other
countries are very active in this area but when will it
happen to Honduras?"


2. On 06/06 "Tribuna" published an op-ed by Gautama Fonseca
entitled "The Common Market and CAFTA." "The Central
American Economical Integration Treaty was signed in Managua
on December 13th 1960."

"Article 25 of the treaty states the following: `Signing
States agree not to unilaterally sign new treaties with
Central American countries that will affect the principles
of the Central American Economical Integration. They also
agree to maintain the Central American Exception Clause
based on the treatment of the most favored nation with
countries different from the ones signed.'"

"Central American presidents believe that their salvation
doesn't depend on their own efforts."

"That is how things are in this part of the world, dominated
by a small rich group and a handful of middle class servants
for whom servitude towards the U.S. is more important than
to finish building the Central American Common Market."

Palmer.