NICARAGUAN AND WHTI MEETING

UNCLAS MANAGUA 002090 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EB/TRA/AN C. DEMARS AND WHA/EPSC S. SHELDON DEPARTMENT PASS DOT/OST DAVID DECARME E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR ELTN EWWT NA SUBJECT: NICARAGUAN AND WHTI MEETING REF: STATE 132219 ¶1. On July 15, Post contacted the Nicaraguan Ministry of Transportation, which could not confirm receipt of an invitation to the Western Hemisphere Transportation Initiative (WHTI) Meeting or the attendance of Minister Pedro Solorzano at this time. ¶2. The one pending bilateral transportation issue of importance involves civil aviation and the effort to move Nicaragua from a Category 2 to Category 1 country rating. Last November, the FAA conducted a technical review of the Nicaraguan Civil Aviation Administration in preparation for a full audit. Pending legislation in the National Assembly, which will modernize Nicaragua's civil aviation authority in accordance with ICAO standards, has been delayed since October due to political considerations. ¶3. Post will provide an update if Minister Solorzano confirms his attendance at WHTI. BRENNAN