Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  That's a very touchy issue because from our experience in Ecuador many times the analysis shows that free trade is not on an equal basis. Yes, the market of the first world expands into these so-called underdeveloped countries, but there is very little reciprocity and many times the cost of production in our country can't compete with the products that come from the developed countries.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  At one point the OAS banned the participation of the Honduran government, but then it opened up and they're a part of the OAS now, yes.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I think that in--

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  We know of the success of that process in Nicaragua. I think that, yes, empowering the base organizations does have a better chance of raising their standards of living. That could be another suggestion from the Canadian government for the Honduran government, to study that possibility for the rural areas in Honduras.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I haven't heard of any active participation in the OAS; I haven't heard that. What I wanted to say before is there is a need to listen to a different viewpoint and try to have some kind of an agreement from the different social actors, from the different social sectors. I think when you don't have that opening then it becomes black and white: I mean, those who are with me or those who are against me and I persecute the ones who are against me.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  As I said before, regarding the judicial system, some training on the rule of law would be a very positive way for Canada to give some help. You'd have to have some sort of agreement with the government, of course, but I think the judicial system could improve with advisers from Canada.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I agree totally. In rural areas, land and water are indispensable for their subsistence. There may be a hope for agrarian reform, and I think that would be key to really having a substantial bettering of the situation—agrarian reform that is not only distribution of land, but helping, as you were saying, with more means to produce the land, and better technical assistance.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I think it has a high political ingredient because the economic and political powers are hand in hand. These big land owners also are in decision-making posts in the state. I think that international pressure can be very effective in that most people feel something has to change in order to overcome the crisis.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Part of the problem is the concentration of wealth in few hands, because the landowners have territories that they control or own, and they're also involved in all the other economic sectors in society, like airlines or businesses. It's sort of like a monopoly in some cases. I think a new structure is necessary in order for the majority of the people to have access to basic needs, such as health, education, land, and work.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  As I said before, we tried to emphasize the voice of the people, the voice of the victims themselves, so that not only the crimes but the conflicts would be understood and taken into consideration. How effective is that? It doesn't depend on the investigation. It depends on using the investigation in order to sanction the crime.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  What kind of investment does Canada have in Honduras? What are the main types?

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  The garment industry should help to create jobs. As long as they give good wages to people, I think that would be positive.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Okay. We're banking on you.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  That's true. Yes, that's true, but on the other hand, how long can this go on without some minor change at least?

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Yes, I think it would help them to see that by implementing social directives that would guarantee food, health, education, work. That to me is where they should orient their policies, and the know-how for all this could be provided through Canadian assistance.