NICARAGUA SYMPATHETIC TO USG MESSAGE ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAGUA 000348 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2016 TAGS: PREL IS KPAL NU SUBJECT: NICARAGUA SYMPATHETIC TO USG MESSAGE ON PALESTINIAN ASSISTANCE REF: STATE 21256 Classified By: DCM PETER BRENNAN. REASONS 1.4 (B,D). ¶1. (C) On February 13, poloff delivered the talking points in reftel to Miriam Fonseca, Director of the Foreign Ministry's Middle East, Africa and Asia section. Fonseca was sympathetic to the USG concerns, and said that the GON, like everyone else, is waiting to see what sort of Palestinian Authority government will be formed in the aftermath of the recent elections. Fonseca noted that Hamas had been surprised by the extent of its victory, and will now have to make unanticipated adjustments to the responsibilities of government. Fonseca will discuss the USG points with Foreign Minister Caldera and decide how the GON can best make its views known on the issue. ¶2. (C) Noting that Nicaragua enjoys forma|d.ZQ, and highlight international concerns regarding the policies of the new Palestinian Authority government. Fonseca noted that Mauqqat has only been in his post in Managua for a month, but that he already seems a much more refined, pragmatic individual than his predecessor, who had a reputation for dogmatism and intransigence. Because Mauqqat is al Fatah, he may not last long in Managua, depending on how important Nicaragua is to the Palestinians. TRIVELLI