MEDIA REACTION ON CAFTA, DECEMBER 30, 2005

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002604

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, DECEMBER 30, 2005



1. On 12/14 the Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna"
published an editorial entitled "Predicament." "The
Minister of Industry announced that CAFTA wouldn't be
implemented on January 1, 2006, as expected, because we
aren't ready for it. The official said that the process
suffered several delays and that it won't be possible to
implement CAFTA, and that none of the Central American
countries are ready for it."

"The delay is because the countries, including Honduras,
haven't approved all the necessary laws and regulations.
You may remember that, before the Christmas holidays, the
Minister of Industry went to Congress to push congressmen to
debate the laws and approve them because it was necessary to
implement CAFTA."

"But despite all the effort, it wasn't possible to achieve
all CAFTA-DR's legal requirements."

"This administration had better hurry things before they
finish their administration in January. If not, CAFTA will
become an accomplishment of the new administration -- not
theirs."

Ford