US embassy cable - 04TEGUCIGALPA2822

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002822 
 
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 21, 2004 
 
 
1. Editorial in Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna" 
on 12/21, titled "They should hurry."  "CAFTA is now in the 
process of being ratified by the Congresses of each country. 
Just last week and after long discussions, El Salvador was 
the first one to ratify it despite the opposition of leftist 
parties and popular organizations." 
 
"For sure, the same will happen here in Honduras.  The 
Executive Board of Congress has said the treaty will be 
considered for approval right after Christmas and before the 
end of the year, although people in the other countries may 
be better informed on the actual content of the treaty. 
Anyway, it's likely that CAFTA will be ratified in the same 
manner Congress does with the annual budget and other 
controversial bills that are approved thoughtlessly, and if 
possible, very late at night to avoid popular 
demonstrations." 
 
"This won't be the first thing Congress approves without 
people really knowing what it's about.  There are sectors 
which depend on the projected benefits of CAFTA and there 
will be others that will surely be affected, possibly the 
most sensitive ones such as agriculture, which won't be able 
to transform themselves to reach a competitive level to 
survive.  We hope CAFTA's benefits exceed its limitations." 
 
2. Editorial in San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "Tiempo" 
on 12/21, entitled "Sharks and Sardines."  "Congress is now 
ready to discuss and approve CAFTA, in the midst of strong 
opposition throughout Central America.  According to the 
latest developments from Congress, its approval is almost 
certain in view of the commitments acquired after a long and 
demanding negotiation, which evidenced the considerable 
asymmetries between the U.S. and Central America, as well as 
the differences between the regional economies." 
 
"However, despite all the criticism, the general idea is 
that if CAFTA isn't ratified by Honduras, the country would 
be greatly isolated from our Central American counterparts 
and especially from the U.S., our main commercial partner." 
 
"CAFTA also brings a great challenge for Honduran 
businessmen, because it will promote an open competition 
where the most apt, hard working and better trained will 
subsist or, to put it in other terms, the bigger fish will 
eat the smaller." 
 
Palmer