MEDIA REACTION ON CAFTA AND USAID, NOVEMBER 28,

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002433

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 AND USAID, NOVEMBER 28,
2005



1. On 12/01, the San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily
"Tiempo"
carried an op-ed by Raul Reina Cleaves entitled "No More
Studies." "The majority of donations, aid and loans that
Honduras receives include an elaboration of studies of which
the majority are not needed. The country is a Highly
Indebted Poor Country and a highly studied country."

"This is a situation that for the sake of the country
shouldn't continue, especially at this moment when CAFTA-DR
will generate a new series of studies, financed by
international credit organizations."

"USAID's representative Mr. Paul Tuebner said during
Ambassador Ford's recent visit to the Industry and Commerce
Chamber in Cortes in response to some businessmen'
commentaries: `No more studies.'"

"USAID's help will be oriented primarily in education,
training and infrastructure, indispensable to achieve
success in CAFTA-DR."

"Our governments should learn to say no when they negotiate
loans and help when the conditions are not favorable to
Honduras."

"Now is the moment to begin."

Ford