US embassy cable - 05TEGUCIGALPA2433

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002433 
 
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 USAID, NOVEMBER 28, 
2005 
 
 
1.   On 12/01, the San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily 
  "Tiempo" 
carried an op-ed by Raul Reina Cleaves entitled "No More 
Studies."  "The majority of donations, aid and loans that 
Honduras receives include an elaboration of studies of which 
the majority are not needed. The country is a Highly 
Indebted Poor Country and a highly studied country." 
 
"This is a situation that for the sake of the country 
shouldn't continue, especially at this moment when CAFTA-DR 
will generate a new series of studies, financed by 
international credit organizations." 
 
"USAID's representative Mr. Paul Tuebner said during 
Ambassador Ford's recent visit to the Industry and Commerce 
Chamber in Cortes in response to some businessmen' 
commentaries: `No more studies.'" 
 
"USAID's help will be oriented primarily in education, 
training and infrastructure, indispensable to achieve 
success in CAFTA-DR." 
 
"Our governments should learn to say no when they negotiate 
loans and help when the conditions are not favorable to 
Honduras." 
 
"Now is the moment to begin." 
 
Ford