Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05TEGUCIGALPA948
2005-05-05 17:45:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION ON CAFTA, MAY 03, 2005

Tags:  OIIP KPAO ETRD HO USTR 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000948 

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, MAY 03, 2005


UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000948

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, MAY 03, 2005



1. On 5/03, the Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna"
published an editorial entitled "Moral." "A few hours
before the Salvadoran president met with Condoleeza Rice, he
announced that Central American presidents would meet with
Bush in Washington to negotiate the approval of CAFTA."

"It's interesting that Central Americans are received `in
bulk,' a signal that the importance of these countries is
not as individuals."

"The South Americans, on the other hand, defied the
preferences of the North, and gave an example of what the
`blocks' are capable of doing. Unfortunately Central America
lost their chance due to lack of vision and opportunity in
the OAS elections."

"Is there a moral to all this? Surely there is, but who
knows if we understand it."

Editorial in San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "La Prensa"
entitled "Will CAFTA be ratified?" "CAFTA critics cross
their fingers hoping that the U.S. Congress won't ratify the
treaty."

"Will the U.S. Congress ratify CAFTA? I dare to bet without
hesitation that CAFTA will be ratified for four reasons:
First, our treaty looks like child's play next to NAFTA.
Second, in half a century the U.S. Congress hasn't rejected
a commercial treaty negotiated by the USTR. Third, the White
House knows that not only CAFTA is at stake, but so is his
commercial policy. Fourth, Congressional committees are
still discussing CAFTA.

"Moral: Let's not continue crossing our fingers that the
vote will be in favor or against it. The big challenge is to
continue with the legal and institutional decision-making
that will allow CAFTA's benefits to increase and the damages
to decrease once it comes into effect, surely to happen on
January 2006."

Palmer