US embassy cable - 04TEGUCIGALPA2509

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002509 
 
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, NOVEMBER 5, 2004 
 
 
1. Editorial in San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "Tiempo" 
on 11/5, entitled "CAFTA to Congress."  "The Executive has 
sent the text of CAFTA to Congress for its approval, which 
may be subject to a wide process of consultation with 
different sectors of Honduran society." 
 
"With the reelection of President Bush, the odds of its 
approval in the U.S. Congress have evidently improved, 
especially after the Republicans consolidated their control 
over the House of Representatives and the Senate." 
 
"Meanwhile, it's important for Hondurans and for all Central 
Americans to adopt a positive and realistic attitude towards 
CAFTA, creating a suitable environment to take advantage of 
this new trade scheme." 
 
"For Honduras, it will be crucial to establish new economic 
and financial policies, which is a very difficult task at 
this moment.  With a depreciating currency, a weak financial 
system, a collapsing agricultural sector, the disappearance 
of medium and small enterprise, constant labor disputes, and 
a lack of national leadership, there's no way we can 
increase the dynamism and competitiveness of the Honduran 
private sector and our national economy." 
 
Palmer