Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MANAGUA2706
2006-12-18 14:27:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Managua
Cable title:
ALN AND MRS JOINTLY LEVERAGING SELECTION OF NEW
how-toVZCZCXRO7811 PP RUEHLMC DE RUEHMU #2706 3521427 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 181427Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY MANAGUA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8450 INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 0871 RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAGUA 002706
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR KDEM NU
SUBJECT: ALN AND MRS JOINTLY LEVERAGING SELECTION OF NEW
ASSEMBLY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Classified By: Ambassador Paul A. Trivelli. Reasons 1.4 (B,D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAGUA 002706
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR KDEM NU
SUBJECT: ALN AND MRS JOINTLY LEVERAGING SELECTION OF NEW
ASSEMBLY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Classified By: Ambassador Paul A. Trivelli. Reasons 1.4 (B,D).
1. (C) Deputies-elect of the Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance
(ALN) and the Sandinista Renovation Movement (MRS)
legislative caucuses are jointly leveraging the selection of
the National Assembly's new Board of Directors to be formed
by January 9, 2007. ALN Assembly deputy Yamileth Bonilla and
MRS deputy Monica Baltodano told polcouns on December 14 that
in their negotiations with the National Liberation Front
(FSLN),the two caucuses are arguing that their combined 28
seats represent the second force in the new legislature.
Rival Liberal Constitutional Party (PLC) holds 25 seats.
According to Bonilla and Baltodano, their parties will also
jointly challenge the FSLN to break its longstanding
political power sharing pact with the PLC caudillo Arnoldo
Aleman.
2. (C) Bonilla related that the ALN is angling for either
the presidency or the first secretary of the Assembly's Board
of Directors, and is pressing the FSLN to live up to its
campaign pledge to foster a government of reconciliation,
tolerance, and unity. Additionally, the ALN is lobbying to
chair the Defense and Government committees and to obtain
other positions in the Municipal, Education, and Health
committees, said Bonilla.
3. (C) Regarding the scheduled entry into force of the
Framework Law (Ley Marco) -- which erodes the power of the
executive branch and reinforces the FSLN-PLC pact's control
over a number of regulatory entities -- Bonilla reported that
the FSLN is privately pleased with ALN president Eduardo
Montealegre's proposal to extend the implementation of the
Ley Marco for another year. She explained that Montealegre's
initiative has "scored points" with the FSLN.
4. (C) Comment: Former MRS presidential candidate Herty
Lewites, who died suddenly in early July and was replaced by
Edmundo Jarquin, had reached an understanding with
Montealegre that the two parties would support one another
and promote a legislative agenda to benefit the Nicaraguan
people. Jarquin continued with this commitment, and incoming
MRS and ALN lawmakers now appear to be acting on it. The
degree to which the MRS and ALN can join forces to effect
constructive change in the new legislature and reduce the
power of the FSLN-PLC pact will partly determine whether
Nicaragua's political culture can evolve from its current
state of mafia politics and patronage. Civil society's role
will also be determinant. End Comment.
TRIVELLI
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR KDEM NU
SUBJECT: ALN AND MRS JOINTLY LEVERAGING SELECTION OF NEW
ASSEMBLY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Classified By: Ambassador Paul A. Trivelli. Reasons 1.4 (B,D).
1. (C) Deputies-elect of the Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance
(ALN) and the Sandinista Renovation Movement (MRS)
legislative caucuses are jointly leveraging the selection of
the National Assembly's new Board of Directors to be formed
by January 9, 2007. ALN Assembly deputy Yamileth Bonilla and
MRS deputy Monica Baltodano told polcouns on December 14 that
in their negotiations with the National Liberation Front
(FSLN),the two caucuses are arguing that their combined 28
seats represent the second force in the new legislature.
Rival Liberal Constitutional Party (PLC) holds 25 seats.
According to Bonilla and Baltodano, their parties will also
jointly challenge the FSLN to break its longstanding
political power sharing pact with the PLC caudillo Arnoldo
Aleman.
2. (C) Bonilla related that the ALN is angling for either
the presidency or the first secretary of the Assembly's Board
of Directors, and is pressing the FSLN to live up to its
campaign pledge to foster a government of reconciliation,
tolerance, and unity. Additionally, the ALN is lobbying to
chair the Defense and Government committees and to obtain
other positions in the Municipal, Education, and Health
committees, said Bonilla.
3. (C) Regarding the scheduled entry into force of the
Framework Law (Ley Marco) -- which erodes the power of the
executive branch and reinforces the FSLN-PLC pact's control
over a number of regulatory entities -- Bonilla reported that
the FSLN is privately pleased with ALN president Eduardo
Montealegre's proposal to extend the implementation of the
Ley Marco for another year. She explained that Montealegre's
initiative has "scored points" with the FSLN.
4. (C) Comment: Former MRS presidential candidate Herty
Lewites, who died suddenly in early July and was replaced by
Edmundo Jarquin, had reached an understanding with
Montealegre that the two parties would support one another
and promote a legislative agenda to benefit the Nicaraguan
people. Jarquin continued with this commitment, and incoming
MRS and ALN lawmakers now appear to be acting on it. The
degree to which the MRS and ALN can join forces to effect
constructive change in the new legislature and reduce the
power of the FSLN-PLC pact will partly determine whether
Nicaragua's political culture can evolve from its current
state of mafia politics and patronage. Civil society's role
will also be determinant. End Comment.
TRIVELLI