US embassy cable - 04TEGUCIGALPA2831

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002831 
 
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 22, 2004 
 
 
1. Editorial in Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna" 
on 12/22, entitled "Let's get it over with."  "As we said 
before, El Salvador has already fulfilled their duty by 
ratifying CAFTA.  In Honduras, the pressure has increased to 
follow that example, while the Congress has said that once 
it is back from the Christmas celebrations and before the 
end of the year, the treaty will be discussed and approved." 
 
"President Maduro has also joined the lobbying parade to 
request prompt ratification, and along with some business 
groups, he has warned about the negative consequences of non- 
ratification, such as the closing of the border with El 
Salvador and the eventual departure of the maquila industry 
once the benefits of CBI end." 
 
"As can be seen, the reasons given for approving CAFTA 
aren't related to how we'll benefit from it, but to how 
badly we'll do if we're left out, which has proven to be a 
convincing argument." 
 
"After the ratification of CAFTA, the Central American 
presidents will probably go to the U.S. to convince Congress 
to ratify it as well.  So, we need to hurry, and later we 
will find out how CAFTA affects us and whether it damages or 
benefits us.  As we have said, we hope its benefits surpass 
the disadvantages." 
 
2. Editorial in Tegucigalpa-based moderate daily "El 
Heraldo" on 12/22, titled "Ratification of CAFTA."  "CAFTA 
is more of an opportunity than a threat, and Congress 
shouldn't waste any more time before beginning its 
discussion and approving it as soon as possible." 
 
"The opposition to CAFTA, to FTAA, and to the whole 
globalization trend is based on those called globophobics, 
usually made up of a mixture of orthodox Marxists, 
conservatives, and hard-core nationalists.  Obviously, these 
groups are so engaged in their own ideology that it prevents 
them from seeing the advantages of free trade, not only for 
producers of poor countries but also for consumers who will 
have access to more jobs and high-quality products at lower 
prices." 
 
"The Honduran Congress should approve CAFTA before the U.S. 
Congress does, which will probably happen in February, not 
only to contribute to creating a favorable environment in 
Central America, but also to immediately attract the 
attention of international investors." 
 
3. Editorial in San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "La 
Prensa" on 12/22, entitled "CAFTA."  "The ratification of 
CAFTA is the next controversial issue on the agenda of 
Congress.  According to certain sources in Congress, the 
final text will be presented next week for discussion." 
 
"There's no doubt that, as in any commercial negotiation, 
the agreement has two sides, two angles, but the right 
course would be to direct the analysis to a search for the 
benefits that will outweigh the damage that some productive 
sectors may suffer.  The worst damage to Honduras would be 
to be left out of a global economy that moves freely through 
national borders." 
 
"The benefits of this agreement go beyond the harm to 
certain sectors, and some of those are protected by the 
treaty.  The challenge is significant.  If we don't take it 
on, it would be as if we turned our backs on history to be 
left out of a global economy in detriment to the majority of 
Hondurans who depend on their salaries." 
 
Palmer