VZCZCXYZ0024
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHSO #0990 2561236
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 131236Z SEP 06
FM AMCONSUL SAO PAULO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5764
INFO RHEHNSC/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 6821
RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO PRIORITY 7427
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 2571
UNCLAS SAO PAULO 000990
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE INR/R/MR; IIP/R/MR; WHA/PD
DEPT PASS USTR
USDOC 4322/MAC/OLAC/JAFEE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR OPRC OIIP ETRD BR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: WESTERN HEMISPHERE: FREE TRADE; SAO PAULO
Uruguay's dissatisfaction
Editorial in center-right O Estado de S. Paulo (9/13) says: "In a
document sent to congressmen last week, defending the accord with
the United States, the Uruguayan government argued that...while the
Mercosul skids, Uruguay needs to seek access to other markets in
order to grow and to increase its exports. There are reasons for the
complaint.... The two main partners of the bloc, Brazil and
Argentina, ignore Uruguay's problems and create even more
[difficulties].... If the acoord intended by [Tabar] Vazquez is a
free-trade one...Uruguay's presence in the Mercosul as a full-member
will be compromised.... Diplomats [from Brazil and Argentina]...say
a restricted accord is acceptable.... The problem is convincing
Washington to accept such an accord.... Another problem is the
deadline to finish this accord.... The accord intended by Tabar
Vazquez exposes the fragility of the Mercosul and the disdain with
which the two main partners have been treating the others."
McMullen