Cablegate: Media Reaction - Cafta

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 001675

SIPDIS

STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, WHA/EPSC
STATE FOR INR/IAA, PM, INL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC CI ETRD TRADE
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - CAFTA

On August 7, conservative, influential newspaper-of-
record "El Mercurio" (circ. 116,807) ran an editorial
entitled, "Free Trade in Central America." Quote:

"By a narrow two-vote margin the U.S. House of
Representatives approved a free trade agreement between
the United States and Central America (CAFTA).... Beyond
the terms of CAFTA lie implications for the President
Bush's leadership: the expansion of free trade, the
eradication of poverty, and an alternative to Venezuela's
demagogy--as no country has achieved development or
integration without international trade."

KELLY

© Scoop Media