US embassy cable - 05TEGUCIGALPA2332

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002332 
 
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, PREL, ETRD, ENRG, KSUM, HO 
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON MAR DE PLATA AND FTA, NOVEMBER 
16, 2005 
 
 
1. On 11/16 the Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily, "La 
Tribuna," published an op-ed by Jorge Valladares Valladares 
entitled, "Mercosur said no to FTAA."  "In the Fourth Summit 
of the Americas, the most fruitful exchanges took place in 
the negotiation rooms after the official presidential 
speeches.  It is clear from the lack of a final declaration 
that the countries in Mercosur, including Venezuela, are not 
sure of FTAA trade integration because it is a strategy 
designed and promoted from Washington." 
"Parallel to this summit, the Summit of the People and anti- 
FTAA movements took place, led on this occasion by former 
Nobel Peace winner, Adolfo Perez Esquivel." 
 
"In Mar de Plata two visions of the economic integration of 
America were presented: the official unity from the 
presidents that hesitated to issue a document that had been 
in preparation for weeks.  The other meeting (Summit of the 
People) issued a final declaration where they basically said 
a robust no to an FTA with the U.S. in the lead.." 
 
"The lesson from the south is clear.  The horrible 
experience lived in Argentina after the financial crisis 
gave them a lesson: When it comes to free trade absolutes 
are not good." 
 
"The streets in the main cities of the southern cone saw 
protests; these nations understand that trade without clear 
rules does not benefit nations.  They say yes to commerce 
between countries but under horizontal conditions and 
without advantages for big companies and nations.  A new 
language is being spoken in these streets, a language that 
hasn't been added to the political declarations, where Latin 
America declares that it needs a just commerce.  These are 
different concepts that Bush should put on his list of 
things to remember." 
 
Ford