MEDIA REACTION ON CAFTA, JUNE 06, 2005

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001215

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 op-ed by Rigoberto Espinal Irias entitled
"Mysterious opposition to CAFTA." "Has there ever been
solidarity among workers in the world?"

"CAFTA-DR's approval has generated a mysterious alliance
against the commercial instrument that would be the starting
point for creating a continental market and strengthening
trade with competitively and high-quality levels."

"Some U.S. union workers see these `first Americans'
improvement [of working conditions] as a threat to their
legitimate interests. Central Americans don't believe they
can benefit with the arrival of foreign investment and the
creation of more and better jobs."

"It's a sociological mystery: they are capable of joining
against the starting point for economic growth, but
incapable of understanding who are CAFTA's winners because
with it new international trade relationships aren't
developed."

"Anyway, we are gaining experience."

Palmer