US embassy cable - 05TEGUCIGALPA1204

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001204 
 
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, JUNE 06, 2005 
 
 
1. On 06/04 the Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna" 
published an editorial entitled "Grace period."  "President 
Bush asked the U.S. Congress for CAFTA-DR's ratification as 
a measure to give the U.S economy and regional democracy a 
major boost." 
 
"Congresses in Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Nicaragua 
have not yet ratified CAFTA. U.S senators and congressmen 
are afraid that there will be negative consequences for U.S 
workers. In Central America, social sectors oppose it but 
governments are deaf to the peoples' voices because CAFTA 
will be ratified." 
 
"The region has a grace period in which it can get 
accustomed to the new competitive situation and if this is 
not accomplished, agricultural production will have to 
compete on equal footing with the North American monster." 
 
"All presidents in favor of CAFTA will have to explain to 
their countries their agricultural conversion plan. Once the 
grace period is gone and appropriate competitive levels are 
not reached, we will become consumption markets. Other 
countries are very active in this area but when will it 
happen to Honduras?" 
 
2. On 06/06 "Tribuna" published an op-ed by Gautama Fonseca 
entitled "The Common Market and CAFTA."  "The Central 
American Economical Integration Treaty was signed in Managua 
on December 13th 1960." 
 
"Article 25 of the treaty states the following: `Signing 
States agree not to unilaterally sign new treaties with 
Central American countries that will affect the principles 
of the Central American Economical Integration. They also 
agree to maintain the Central American Exception Clause 
based on the treatment of the most favored nation with 
countries different from the ones signed.'" 
 
"Central American presidents believe that their salvation 
doesn't depend on their own efforts." 
 
"That is how things are in this part of the world, dominated 
by a small rich group and a handful of middle class servants 
for whom servitude towards the U.S. is more important than 
to finish building the Central American Common Market." 
 
Palmer.