US embassy cable - 05SANSALVADOR3458

UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 003458 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT PASS USTR FOR RPORTMAN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETRD, ES, CAFTA 
SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR: PRESIDENT SACA PUSHES FOR JANUARY 1 
CAFTA 
 
 
1. (U) During a December 9 conversation with the DCM, 
President Saca reiterated El Salvador,s strong support for 
January 1 entry into force of CAFTA, even if El Salvador is 
the only country to qualify on that date.  Saca promised that 
El Salvador would have all measures in place by the end of 
the current legislative session (which ends before 
Christmas).  The US should agree to January 1 EIF for all 
countries that are ready, he argued; others could enter 
whenever they are ready.  To delay CAFTA implementation, Saca 
stated, &would send a bad message to the enemies of free 
trade8 in the region.  Saca added that the combination of 
CAFTA and NAFTA would mean that President Bush &would be 
half-way to his goal of a Free Trade Area of the Americas.8 
 
2. (U)DCM noted that January 1 EIF could result in temporary 
loss of current textile accumulation benefits for El 
Salvador, should entry of other Central American countries be 
delayed.  Saca responded that he understood the issue; El 
Salvador still wanted January 1 EIF.  Issues such as 
temporary loss of textile benefits could be addressed 
separately. 
Barclay