US embassy cable - 05TEGUCIGALPA45

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000045 
 
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 AND TPS, JANUARY 4, 2005 
 
 
1. Editorial in Tegucigalpa-based moderate daily "El 
Heraldo" on 1/3, entitled "CAFTA with the U.S."  "The year 
we have just begun brings several challenges for all 
Hondurans, and one of them is the ratification of CAFTA, an 
agreement with the biggest world power and our most 
important trading partner." 
 
"The fact that we're a small and developing country forces 
us to insert ourselves into the process of globalization as 
soon as we can, since it's a worldwide trend no country can 
afford to be left out of." 
 
"We must accept that getting into the movement of free trade 
isn't an option, it's indispensable, and even though we may 
be left out, it wouldn't be wise to do so because it would 
mean to be left practically isolated...  So, our Congress 
should ratify CAFTA as soon as possible." 
 
2. Editorial in Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna" 
on 1/4, entitled "TPS and CAFTA."  "Before knowing the 
results of the U.S. presidential elections, President Bush 
made the courageous decision to grant a new extension of TPS 
for Hondurans.  Bush was reelected, among other factors, 
because he achieved the highest support from Hispanics yet 
among Republican candidates." 
 
"If the U.S. President gambled on the immigrants, 
considering that the Hispanic population is growing in 
importance and is becoming more determinant each time in the 
electoral process, it is likely that he will also use his 
influence to ensure the approval of CAFTA by the U.S. 
Congress." 
 
"Here in Honduras, CAFTA wasn't ratified during the holiday 
season as expected, despite the fact that several 
businessmen believed it would happen without much 
opposition.  Right now, the situation is uncertain, it's 
unclear whether ratification will come after Congress begins 
the new legislative session or if it will be postponed until 
after the primary elections in February." 
 
"On the immigration issue, now that Bush is about to start 
his second term, the opportunity has come for Central 
Americans to obtain an amnesty or another kind of permanent 
solution.  If we let time go by in the hopes of getting more 
extensions, it may be too late." 
 
Palmer