NICARAGUA WILL PUSH FOR MEASURED RESPONSE TO U.S.

UNCLAS MANAGUA 000038 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ECON SMIG NU SUBJECT: NICARAGUA WILL PUSH FOR MEASURED RESPONSE TO U.S. IMMIGRATION PROPOSALS REF: STATE 2995 ¶1. (SBU) During a meeting on January 6, Foreign Minister Norman Caldera informed the Ambassador that the GON will urge participants in the January 9 meeting in Mexico to respond in a cautious, measured manner to the U.S. immigration proposals passed by the House of Representatives. After the Ambassador delivered the talking points in reftel, Caldera--who prefers to keep his distance from the issue--stated that Vice Minister Javier Williams will attend the meeting in Mexico City. When queried about the meeting and the proposed wall, Caldera noted that he has publicly stated that he is obliged to worry about Nicaraguans abroad, including those with TPS status in the U.S., and that the GON will take no action to endanger that status. ¶2. (SBU) Caldera believes that a public statement at the Mexico City meeting is inevitable, but he assured us that Williams will seek to limit it to an "expression of concern" and a "call for further study." Williams will also use the meeting to press the Mexicans on their poor treatment of Central Americans passing through their country. Caldera understands our position, is sympathetic, and knows how counterproductive a vocal protest could turn out to be. However, he also hopes for an additional TPS extension, and is clearly looking for a quid pro quo on the issue. TRIVELLI