MEDIA REACTION ON CAFTA, AUGUST 22, 2005

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001744

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, AUGUST 22, 2005



1. Op-ed by Ilsa Diaz Zelaya in San Pedro Sula-based liberal
daily "Tiempo" on 8/15, entitled "CAFTA-DR Shouldn't Be
Feared." "In 1983 the U.S. government decided to benefit
Central American and Caribbean agricultural workers and
exporters through an initiative that has allowed the free
trade of our products to the U.S. market [Caribbean Basin
Initiative]."


"At an annual conference in Miami, U.S. investors and
producers could meet with us, the benefited countries. These
conferences brought all kinds of investments to Honduras.
For example, Sea Board Marine built a melon plantation and a
shrimp plant in the country. After that the company
established itself in Comayagua with one of Honduras' first
vegetable plantations. Comayagua now has thousands of jobs,
all as a consequence of the numerous businesses that came to
the country."

"In 1990, when the `Fyffes Group' came into Honduras, prices
and the workplace changed as the U.S. dollar entered the
economy. While the banana plantations had paid in Lempiras
for years, this group started paying in U.S. dollars,
breaking all traditions and ways of thinking."

"We should face this new opportunity of CAFTA with good
organization, bravery, and effort, and always keep in mind
that more than just the U.S. can receive our products, as we
have already had good success in the European and Asian
markets."

"We should forget the negative commentators that don't
recognize that this is a historical moment for our country,
and we should take advantage of this valuable opportunity."

Williard