US embassy cable - 02TEGUCIGALPA3062

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 003062 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR PD/WHA (MBUCKLEY) 
INFO IIP 
EMBASSIES FOR PAOS, APAOS, Ios, 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP, KPAO, HO, PA 
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION:  FREE TRADE OF THE AMERICAS 
 
 
  1.   Orlando Henrquez writing in "La Tribuna" Tegucigalpa- 
     based daily (11/05): "The Free Trade of the Americas even 
     though it is viewed with skepticism and opposition by many 
     Latin American countries, especially for the subsidy that 
     U.S. agricultural sectors receive-- the treaty is an 
     irreversible reality." Honduras is an abandoned, wretched 
     and beggared country with no authority to reject the treaty 
     or not participate in it." 
 
     "But we should be conscious that if we do not start 
     seeking now a formula to be part of the treaty-- when 
     it becomes a reality-- we will be undressed and 
     helpless." The Free Trade Agreement could provide us 
     unanticipated benefits if we can manage it as a tool of 
     progress." 
 
 
  2.   Marel Medina Bardales writing in "Tiempo" the San Pedro 
     Sula-based daily (11/05): "The Lover of the Free Trade of 
     the Americas" The FTAA is a two-faced phenomenon-- One face 
     is smooth and with pieces of jewelry as well as hellacious 
     avenues, the other is rugged and wrinkled". That is why many 
     organizations such as the Nicaraguan organization MANANFA, 
     Sinti-Techan from El Salvador, Guatemalan  Native and Rural 
     Coordinator, Honduran Community Commercialization Network, 
     and the Honduran Popular Group have been protesting against 
     the FTAA. 
 
     "It is not true that it brings sustainable and stable 
     growth, or more or fewer job opportunities; it destroys 
     the national sovereignty, it threatens the process of 
     democracy and increases the external debt.  It is a 
     project that provides the control of our continent to 
     benefit U.S., European and Asian transnational 
     companies." 
 
 
     Palmer