EU LIKELY TO SEND OBSERVATION MISSION FOR

UNCLAS MANAGUA 001423 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CEN, EUR/ERA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM OAS EU NU SUBJECT: EU LIKELY TO SEND OBSERVATION MISSION FOR NICARAGUAN ELECTIONS ¶1. (SBU) The European Union Commission official heading the EU election observation exploratory mission to Nicaragua, Andrew Bruce, gave a presentation to the Elections Donor Group on the parameters of a possible EU electoral observation mission (EOM). Although the mission will not conclude until next week, Bruce informed the EDG unofficially (please protect) that he will recommend that the Commission authorize the EOM. EU Commissioner for External Relations Bonita Ferrero Waldner will make the final decision some time in July. ¶2. (SBU) The proposed EOM would be headed by a Chief Observer (likely a senior member of the EU Parliament) supported by a Deputy and a staff of about 10 officials who, except for the Chief Observer, will arrive in country 6-8 weeks before the elections and stay until mid to late December. The EOM would be independent, but the Commission and the member states represented locally would have an advisory role. The EOM would also have 20-22 long-term observers who would be stationed throughout the country, and a number of short-term observers who would deploy on Election Day. The total mission would number about 100 people. ¶3. (SBU) The EOM would release a statement of preliminary findings one to two days after the election and a final detailed report with recommendations for future elections two to three months later. (Comment: Bruce was adamant that the EU EOM coordinate observation efforts and public statements closely with other international EOMs and focus on results to EOM recommendations. He regards Nicaragua as a good "test case" to push for reforms after the election season. End Comment.) ¶4. (SBU) Later the same day, EC Ambassador Francesca Mosca, EC Central American and Mexico Officer for the External Relations Directorate-General and Elections Desk Officer for External Relations Andrew Bruce met with Ambassador, DCM, polcouns, and USAID democracy director. The Ambassador noted to the EC representatives the importance of an EU observer mission to complement the OAS and other observer teams and missions. Ambassador Mosca explained that every year, the EU observes in 10-12 priority countries that are holding elections, and Nicaragua is on this year's list. Ambassador Mosca shared that once the EU observer mission is on the ground, its Chief Observer will make necessary observations on areas of concern, including problems with national/voter ID (cedula) issuance, to Supreme Electoral Council (CSE) authorities, and if necessary, to the media. She also voiced concern over the lack of regulations concerning political party access to media time, warning that one party could buy up most of the air time and exclude its competitors. ¶5. (SBU) Ambassador Mosca agreed with the Ambassador that coordination among international observers is crucial to prevent the release of confusing or contradictory assessments, as is international observer access to the CSE's vote computation and transmission centers. She added that the EU observer mission will also impress upon the CSE the need to release its results to the public as they come in. Ambassador shared that we are supporting two quick counts, which will help to discourage any efforts to manipulate the election results. TRIVELLI