Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MANAGUA1423
2006-06-29 18:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Managua
Cable title:  

EU LIKELY TO SEND OBSERVATION MISSION FOR

Tags:  PREL PGOV KDEM OAS EU NU 
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VZCZCXRO5127
PP RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ
DE RUEHMU #1423 1801855
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 291855Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY MANAGUA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6794
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
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


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