MEDIA REACTION ON CAFTA, AUGUST 25, 2005

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001774

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 25, 2005



1. On 8/25 San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "La Prensa"
published an op-ed by Fausto Leonardo Henriquez entitled
"CAFTA Central America-Dominican Republic-U.S.A." "The
economic agreement of July 28, 2005 has created several
debates, discussions, and protests all over; the final phase
in the North American Congress was fast and the votes were
tight."

"I've been a witness, and I have even been a participant in
several fora, of the social proposal to fight against
poverty in Honduras and the fears this new form of economic
globalized neocolonialism brings."


"CAFTA is a brotherhood among people and a path to
`Americanization.' What is yet to be determined is whether
or not it is unfair, and whether or not it is a disadvantage
to the people involved in this treaty. This treaty is to
prepare ourselves for America's continentalization, because
that is what we are: America."

"We are taking painful and sometimes incomprehensible steps
toward a full continental identity. A process that can be
considered as `Americanization.' What today seems to us as
craziness is part of a journey that will end in a single
idea: America."

"A constitution, powers capable to restore democracy,
liberty, and social justice will be born."

Williard