CODEL BURTON -- SHORT BUT SUCCESSFUL VISIT

UNCLAS MANAGUA 001098 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID KDEM NU PGOV PINR PREL SUBJECT: CODEL BURTON -- SHORT BUT SUCCESSFUL VISIT ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On May 9, Codel Burton (Representatives Burton, Meeks, Akin, Bordallo, Marchant, and Watson) made a brief stopover in Nicaragua on their way back to the United States from Costa Rica. During their time in Nicaragua, the Codel met with Embassy staff for a briefing on elections activities, with elections partners (CEPPS and NGOS) to discuss current efforts, and then gave a brief press conference. The Codel's comments at the press conference were general, emphasizing the importance of free, fair and transparent elections in Nicaragua, but still garnered extensive coverage by all major media. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) The Ambassador briefed the Codel prior to their meeting with Post's election partners and provided an overview of the situation and each of the presidential candidates. He emphasized that the USG is not endorsing specific candidates, rather the goal is to provide the "political space" for a democratic candidate to be elected in a fair election. He explained that the Sandinista (FSLN)-Liberal Constitutional Party (PLC) pact is detrimental to democracy in Nicaragua. The Ambassador also talked about Chavez's open support for Ortega. ¶3. (SBU) Burton asked if Sandinista dissident Herty Lewites will actually run for office; the Ambassador replied that he believes Lewites' intentions are genuine and that he truly wants to reform Sandinismo. Meeks sought a clarification on the candidates' platforms, to which the Ambassador replied that at this point there are no clear platforms, only personalities. The Ambassador outlined two key U.S. concerns -- that Arnoldo Aleman still controls the PLC, and that election results could be manipulated to ensure victory by the PLC or FSLN. Watson inquired about the significance of the Atlantic Coast election results, to which the Ambassador replied that we should not read to much into the results -- using them to predict the outcome of the national elections is like using a state assembly race in Alaska to predict the outcome of the U.S. national election. CEPPS AND NGOS ENGAGED -------------- ¶4. (U) Each of the CEPPS partners and NGOs outlined their election programs. The CEPPS partners have been focused on cedulas (national identification card needed to vote),the padron (voter rolls) and "get out the vote" activities. According to IFES, close to 200,000 national ID cards (cedulas) have not been distributed to voters. IFES is working with the CSE (Supreme Electoral Council) to ensure greater distribution of cedulas by funding fixed kiosks and mobile units in areas without access to CSE regional or municipal offices. To counter young voter apathy, IRI is providing funds to JUDENIC, a local youth NGO, to implement a Nicaraguan Rock the Vote style campaign called "Tu Voz, Tu Voto." IRI will also train over 39,000 "fiscales" (election monitors) from the ALN-PC, MRS and AC to monitor voting. Several of the representatives asked why they were not going to train observers for all the parties, to include the FSLN and PLC; IRI replied that the CSE is controlled by the FSLN and the PLC so they are being trained under the Council's program. The representative from NDI mentioned that they are working with the parties. ¶5. (U) NDI's national padron audit, implemented by Etica y Transparencia (ET) and the Universidad Centroamericana (UCA), is well underway, with the roll-out and final report expected in late May. Separately, ET and UCA have completed the first stage of a study documenting the process to obtain cedulas. The results of the findings will be shared with business associations and other entities to encourage all employees to obtain cedulas. Based on the results of the padron audit and cedula study, NDI will fund a public awareness campaign to pressure the CSE to clean-up the padron and improve its cedulation process. ET also plans to fund a "quick count" for the election to tally preliminary results. ¶6. (SBU) Additionally, Movimiento por Nicaragua (MpN) began a pilot project with Public Affairs Democracy Funds to create a Citizen Attention Center in Managua to help Nicaraguans, especially those with limited income, to acquire birth certificates required to apply for cedulas. Once necessary paperwork is completed, with the assistance of MpN's legal and secretarial staff, MpN charters buses to transport Nicaraguans to the CSE to personally apply for cedulas. With additional funding from NDI, MpN will expand the Managua Center and add three new centers throughout the country. The expanded Centers will also provide voter education pamphlets and announcements to educate citizens on the need to participate in the electoral process. This successful effort will be multiplied throughout the country with USAID funds. VENEZUELAN INFLUENCE -------------- ¶7. (SBU) During the CEPPS meeting, Congressman Burton asked about other country's support for specific presidential candidates. The representatives from ET and MpN spoke about Hugo Chavez's support for Daniel Ortega's campaign, including a promise of oil and fertilizer. ET added that Venezuelan support may total USD 50 million and will include mobilizing helicopters to help the Ortega campaign. Under Nicaraguan electoral law, there is no problem in accepting donations from abroad for campaigns. SHORT, BUT GREAT MEDIA COVERAGE -------------- ¶8. (U) After the meeting with CEPPS partners and NGOs, the Codel gave a brief press conference. Members gave a short introduction, commented on the need for free, fair and transparent elections and encouraged the Nicaraguan people to vote. They pointed out that this was a bipartisan Codel, but they are united in their belief in democracy, which is why they had stopped in Nicaragua. Burton took several questions, ranging from whether the United States would work with any elected government to whether there would be legislation on immigration soon. Burton emphasized that the United States will work with any government that is elected through free, fair and democratic elections. He also commented that he believes there will soon be a bipartisan, realistic policy on immigration. All major media carried the story the next day. There were extensive articles in the two major newspapers, and several of the television stations ran the entire press conference. ¶9. (U) Participants US Election Program Implementers: Deborah Ullmer (NDI) Gilberto Valdez (IRI) Francisco Cobos (IFES) Nicaraguan NGOs: Nelson Estrada (Movimiento por Nicaragua) Roberto Courtney (Etica y Transparencia) U.S.: Ambassador Paul Trivelli Acting DCM Marcia Bosshardt Polcouns Victoria Alvarado USAID Alex Dickie USAID Danika Walters USAID Steven Hendrix Poloff Tim Smith Poloff Nicole Chulick Public Affairs Preeti Shah TRIVELLI