Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MANAGUA646
2006-03-22 22:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Managua
Cable title:
CAFTA LEGISLATION PASSES IN NICARAGUA; GON PUSHING
how-toVZCZCXYZ0017 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHMU #0646 0812237 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 222237Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY MANAGUA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5673 INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS MANAGUA 000646
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN, WHA/EPSC, EB,
DEPARTMENT PASS TO COMMERCE, TREASURY, USTR, USAID, OPIC,
USTDA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD NU
SUBJECT: CAFTA LEGISLATION PASSES IN NICARAGUA; GON PUSHING
FOR APRIL EIF
REF: A. MANAGUA 00256
B. MANAGUA 0026
UNCLAS MANAGUA 000646
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN, WHA/EPSC, EB,
DEPARTMENT PASS TO COMMERCE, TREASURY, USTR, USAID, OPIC,
USTDA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD NU
SUBJECT: CAFTA LEGISLATION PASSES IN NICARAGUA; GON PUSHING
FOR APRIL EIF
REF: A. MANAGUA 00256
B. MANAGUA 0026
1. (U) The National Assembly approved remaining CAFTA-DR
legislative obligations with March 21 votes for reforms of
the Patent Law, the Trademark Law and the Special Law on
Crimes against International Commerce or International
Investment, and ratification of the Budapest Treaty. These
votes came with much larger margins than the Thursday, March
16 votes for reforms to the Copyright Law and the Law for
Protection of Satellite Signals and Broadcast Rights, which
squeaked through with 48 votes and the required minimum of 47
votes respectively, without opposition.
2. (SBU) Political reconsideration to reengage on the CAFTA
votes by the Liberal Party (PLC),which had tried
unsuccessfully last week to trade a CAFTA pony for an amnesty
jackass, yielded votes between 60 and 74 in favor of the
numerous articles associated with the March 21 victory on
CAFTA legislation. Neither opposing nor abstaining votes
were registered, though a number of deputies ) in the
mid-teens ) were present but did not vote. According to
Assembly staffers and AMCHAM President Rene Gonzalez, no
organized party tactics were associated with the present but
not voting phenomenon. Rather, all sources attributed the
voting profile to either &cigarette breaks8or &the PLC,s
lack of discipline.8 Gonzalez added that the PLC had been
&properly shamed8 into voting for the remaining CAFTA
legislation.
3. (U) MIFIC sources reported to Econoff on March 22 that
they had worked through the night to prepare the legislative
package for signature and publication today. The package was
already at the National Assembly by 9 a.m. on March 22
awaiting signature by Assembly President Eduardo Gomez and
First Secretary Maria Auxiliadora Aleman. MIFIC planned to
shuttle the package to the Presidency before Noon for
President Bolanos, signature and official publication in La
Gaceta (the local version of the Federal Register). Econoff
reminded MIFIC that to be certified for EIF they also must
publish the signed SPS decree on inspection equivalence and
any other pending regulations. Mentioned too was the need to
resolve quickly the question of compensation for the removal
of the pocket and lining concessions.
4. (U) Minister Arguello is aiming to complete all CAFTA
requirements by Friday, and pledging to seek certification
from the USG next week. He has also "guaranteed" an April
EIF. Minister of Foreign Affairs Norman Caldera repeated
previous requests to Ambassador Trivelli on March 21 for an
event in Washington celebrating Nicaraguan EIF.
TRIVELLI
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN, WHA/EPSC, EB,
DEPARTMENT PASS TO COMMERCE, TREASURY, USTR, USAID, OPIC,
USTDA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD NU
SUBJECT: CAFTA LEGISLATION PASSES IN NICARAGUA; GON PUSHING
FOR APRIL EIF
REF: A. MANAGUA 00256
B. MANAGUA 0026
1. (U) The National Assembly approved remaining CAFTA-DR
legislative obligations with March 21 votes for reforms of
the Patent Law, the Trademark Law and the Special Law on
Crimes against International Commerce or International
Investment, and ratification of the Budapest Treaty. These
votes came with much larger margins than the Thursday, March
16 votes for reforms to the Copyright Law and the Law for
Protection of Satellite Signals and Broadcast Rights, which
squeaked through with 48 votes and the required minimum of 47
votes respectively, without opposition.
2. (SBU) Political reconsideration to reengage on the CAFTA
votes by the Liberal Party (PLC),which had tried
unsuccessfully last week to trade a CAFTA pony for an amnesty
jackass, yielded votes between 60 and 74 in favor of the
numerous articles associated with the March 21 victory on
CAFTA legislation. Neither opposing nor abstaining votes
were registered, though a number of deputies ) in the
mid-teens ) were present but did not vote. According to
Assembly staffers and AMCHAM President Rene Gonzalez, no
organized party tactics were associated with the present but
not voting phenomenon. Rather, all sources attributed the
voting profile to either &cigarette breaks8or &the PLC,s
lack of discipline.8 Gonzalez added that the PLC had been
&properly shamed8 into voting for the remaining CAFTA
legislation.
3. (U) MIFIC sources reported to Econoff on March 22 that
they had worked through the night to prepare the legislative
package for signature and publication today. The package was
already at the National Assembly by 9 a.m. on March 22
awaiting signature by Assembly President Eduardo Gomez and
First Secretary Maria Auxiliadora Aleman. MIFIC planned to
shuttle the package to the Presidency before Noon for
President Bolanos, signature and official publication in La
Gaceta (the local version of the Federal Register). Econoff
reminded MIFIC that to be certified for EIF they also must
publish the signed SPS decree on inspection equivalence and
any other pending regulations. Mentioned too was the need to
resolve quickly the question of compensation for the removal
of the pocket and lining concessions.
4. (U) Minister Arguello is aiming to complete all CAFTA
requirements by Friday, and pledging to seek certification
from the USG next week. He has also "guaranteed" an April
EIF. Minister of Foreign Affairs Norman Caldera repeated
previous requests to Ambassador Trivelli on March 21 for an
event in Washington celebrating Nicaraguan EIF.
TRIVELLI