Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05TEGUCIGALPA957
2005-05-05 20:12:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION ON CAFTA, MAY 05, 2005

Tags:  OIIP KPAO ETRD HO USTR 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000957 

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 05, 2005


UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000957

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 05, 2005



1. On 05/03 the evening television newscast "Hoy Mismo" on
Channel 3 broadcast a statement by Melvin Redondo, CAFTA
negotiator who said, "Central American and Dominican
Republic presidents will visit certain U.S. communities in
which there is still some opposition to CAFTA."

"With the non-approval of CAFTA in the U.S. the situation
will become complex. We will have to seek alternatives in
Honduras for the finalization on the Caribbean Basin in the
next three years. Obviously it will not stimulate the
investment and commerce in the country, and we believe it
will be difficult to handle this situation."


2. On 05/05 the San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "Tiempo"
carried an op-ed by Pablo Rodas Martini, Director of the
Regional Program `Central America in the XXI Century in
global economy,' entitled "Humorous critics against CAFTA."
"Before NAFTA, criticisms were made, now it sounds funny to
read them, because in most cases the U.S. critics sustain
arguments opposed to our Central American ones. First: there
is a contradiction because the critics say there will be
unemployment in the U.S., others say Central America will
suffer it. With NAFTA employment in both countries
increased."

"Second: another contradiction with the commercial deficit.
Both say they will suffer it. The statistics of the USITC
show that the U.S. hasn't had deficits and Central America
exported more than the imported."

"Third: contradiction in which agriculture has been
affected. Historically Central America has had an important
growth in its external commerce, including the U.S. CAFTA is
a step forward to total openness. And Mexico is absolutely
not the best reference in agriculture."

"Result: Central America's critics 0 vs. U.S. Critics 0."

Palmer