MRS CANDIDATE JARQUIN: "WE ARE THE RESPONSIBLE

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAGUA 001572

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI NU
SUBJECT: MRS CANDIDATE JARQUIN: "WE ARE THE RESPONSIBLE
LEFT"

REF: MANAGUA 1482

Classified By: CDA Peter Brennan for reasons 1.4 (b and d)


1. (C) Summary: New MRS presidential candidate Edmundo
Jarquin assured Ambassador that he will continue deceased
candidate Herty Lewites' strategy of pursuing "responsible"
social and economic policies and a productive relationship
with the USG. Jarquin admitted that he struggles with name
recognition relative to the other candidates, but predicted
that he will rise in the polls after the launch of a new
publicity campaign. He stated that Nicaragua has been held
back by the PLC-FSLN political pact, but that President
Bolanos will leave Nicaragua in good macroeconomic health.
End Summary.


2. (C) Ambassador and poloffs met with new MRS presidential
candidate Edmundo Jarquin and senior advisor Victor Hugo
Tinoco on July 14 to discuss the death of former candidate
Herty Lewites (reftel) and MRS' election strategy. Jarquin
stated that the MRS represents the "responsible left" in
Nicaragua and will promote economic and social policies that
benefit Nicaragua, noting that the policies of extreme left-
and right-wing governments have failed in Latin America. The
MRS will also pursue a productive relationship with the USG.
(Note: Ambassador mentioned recent press interviews with MRS
vice presidential candidate Carlos Mejia Godoy, in which
Mejia Godoy stood by the refrain he wrote for the FSLN party
anthem that refers to the U.S. as the "enemy of humanity."
Ambassador suggested that Jarquin could speak with Mejia
Godoy about a more nuanced response. Jarquin responded that
he "understood." End Note.)


3. (C) Jarquin was generally positive regarding the MRS'
chances in the upcoming national elections, but did admit
that he struggles with name recognition relative to the other
candidates, and that his party has the smallest financial
resources. He confirmed that the MRS will focus its
resources in certain geographic areas where it draws the most
support. (Comment: Jarquin was not specific, but Lewites had
the highest poll numbers in Managua and other departments in
the central Pacific region. Likewise, MRS contacts in Rivas,
Matagalpa, Boaco, and Jinotega have complained of being
starved of funds from the national campaign. End Comment.)


4. (C) Jarquin is confident that an MRS media campaign
highlighting Lewites' legacy with the party will improve his
poll numbers. (The latest MRS ad features Jarquin and Mejia
Godoy leading a candlelight vigil in honor of Lewites and
promising they will continue his legacy.) He also noted
considerable progress in the IRI-sponsored training of MRS
party poll watchers (fiscales). Jarquin and Tinoco commented
that 30 percent of self-identified Sandinistas support the
MRS, plus a considerable number of independent voters that
"want change."


5. (C) Jarquin agreed with the Ambassador that Nicaragua has
considerable potential for growth as long as the country does
not "take a step backward" after the elections. He opined
that, unlike his predecessors, President Bolanos will leave
Nicaragua in good macroeconomic health and (referring to
Bolanos' low approval rating) "history will judge him
differently." Jarquin emphasized the need for Nicaragua to
enjoy an independent and professional judiciary, unlike the
pact-controlled politicized institution that currently exists.


6. (C) Comment: Jarquin is an affable and erudite technocrat
with many years of experience in international institutions.
He admitted that his many years spent outside of Nicaragua
have cost him in terms of recognition and credibility, but
believes that the public will ultimately support him as an
anti-pact, moderately left-wing alternative to FSLN candidate
Daniel Ortega. Jarquin does not project the folksy charisma
that made Lewites so popular, but his running mate, legendary
revolutionary songwriter (and womanizer) Carlos Mejia Godoy
could compensate by balancing the MRS ticket.
BRENNAN