RESETTLEMENT OF CUBAN AND HAITIAN MIGRANTS (2)

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAGUA 001499 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CEN AND PRM FOR ROBERT GEHRING AND ROD MACKLER E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL PREF NU CU SUBJECT: RESETTLEMENT OF CUBAN AND HAITIAN MIGRANTS (2) REF: A. MANAGUA 1114 ¶B. STATE 78762 Classified By: Ambassador Paul Trivelli for reasons 1.4 (b and d) ¶1. (C) Poloffs met with Ambassador Domingo Salinas, Director and Western Hemisphere Affairs at the Nicaraguan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and U.S. Desk Officer Agnes Alvarado to discuss Nicaragua's willingness to assist in the resettlement of Cuban and Haitian migrants at Guantanamo. After extensive discussions at the "highest levels," the GON decided that it can not accept migrants at this time, Salinas stated. He confided that President Enrique Bolanos and Foreign Minister Norman Caldera are concerned that a hostile press may attack Bolanos for accepting migrants when the country is suffering economically. Salinas also worried that the Sandinista Front (FSLN) may deport the Cuban migrants back to Cuba if Daniel Ortega wins the November 5 national elections. ¶2. (C) Salinas was evidently disappointed with the GON decision, as he has worked hard in the past to assist Cuban migrants (ref A). He commented that the GON may revisit its decision after the elections, depending on the outcome. TRIVELLI