LIBERAL MAYORS REJECT ALEMAN, PLEDGE TO SUPPORT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAGUA 001036 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2017 TAGS: PGOV PINR KDEM NU SUBJECT: LIBERAL MAYORS REJECT ALEMAN, PLEDGE TO SUPPORT LOCAL UNIFICATION EFFORTS REF: A. MANAGUA 0982 ¶B. MANAGUA 0953 ¶C. MANAGUA 0905 Classified By: Ambassador Paul Trivelli for reasons 1.4 (b and d) ¶1. (C) Summary: A group of mayors from the Liberal Constitutional Party (PLC) meeting with leaders of the Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance (ALN) strongly rejected any role for convicted PLC leader Arnoldo Aleman in the Liberal unification process. The mayors plan to form local commissions ahead of the 2008 municipal elections to bring together the democratic forces and jointly confront the FSLN. Members of the private sector Foro Liberal also attended the meeting and pledged to continue supporting Liberal unity efforts. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Ambassador and poloffs met with Liberal mayors, ALN officials, and members of the Foro Liberal on April 20 to discuss plans for local unity efforts. Eduardo Montealegre (ALN president and deputy),Jamileth Bonilla (deputy),and Ramiro Silva (deputy) represented the ALN. The PLC mayors were Bronley Alvarez (Ciudad Dario),Boanerges Gonzalez (Sebaco),Carlos Roque (Matiguas),Luis Jarquin (La Trinidad),Elba Salinas (Santa Lucia),Nubia Marin (Comalapa),and Jose Rizo Falcon (a Resistencia-affiliated mayor from Rio Blanco). ¶3. (C) The mayors detailed their plans to form local "unity commissions" to bring in all groups that oppose the current administration (including the Conservatives and MRS) and identify candidates for the 2008 municipal elections (ref B). Salinas and Roque mentioned the need to reach out to the rural population and pressure the PLC Central Committee to permit "true Liberal renovation." The group pledged to oppose constitutional reforms such as continuous presidential re-election and select a new box on the voting ballot that would not be affiliated with the PLC or ALN. Boanerges Gonzalez commented that the reformist mayors should confront the pro-Aleman directorship of the Liberal Association of Patriotic Mayors (ASALPAT) and "take over the agenda" of the forum. ¶4. (C) The group was unanimous in its rejection of Arnoldo Aleman -- a far cry from their pre-election vacillation. Luis Jarquin labeled Aleman a "blood sucker" and a "loyal Sandinista." Jose Rizo Falcon related that his constituents were critical of his support for Eduardo Montealegre before the elections, but now realize that Montealegre was the "right choice" and reject Aleman for his support for Ortega and Chavez. In general, the mayors reported that Aleman's recent tour of Nicaragua has not been successful, although they complained that the media gives the colorful caudillo too much coverage. ¶5. (C) The mayors commented that their opposition to Aleman has resulted in threats, physical intimidation, and persecution through pact-controlled institutions such as the courts and Comptroller's Office. Polcouns suggested the mayors seek assistance from CENIDH to file complaints before the Inter-American Human Rights Commission (IAHRC). Bronley Alvarez reported that the PLC recently orchestrated the destitution of the anti-Aleman mayor of Diriomo on trumped up financial mismanagement charges by bribing town councilors to vote for his ouster. Ambassador thanked the mayors for their courage and urged them not to let Aleman and his supporters "infect" the unity process. ¶6. (C) Eduardo Montealegre, referring to a private New Link study (ref C),commented that a united opposition could win 122 of 153 municipalities. Montealegre warned that any appearance of deal making with Aleman would result in a significant loss of support from independent voters and drive away potential allies. He predicted that a successful rapprochement at the municipal level could put pressure on PLC deputies in the National Assembly to openly break with Aleman in favor of a democratic alliance. The group should also reach out to ex-PLC presidential candidate Jose Rizo, who has gained sympathy with grass-roots supporters because of abuse by the party leadership, Montealegre said. ¶7. (C) The members of the Foro Liberal agreed that Aleman is an obstacle to unity and he has betrayed the Liberal cause. The purpose of his tour is to recapture ALN votes for himself, they believe. Margarita Sarmiento, who provided the venue for the meeting, pledged that the Foro would continue to support the groups' efforts financially. MANAGUA 00001036 002 OF 002 ¶8. (C) Comment: The reformist mayors have come much closer to the ALN post-elections, although we cannot assume that all of them will remain committed to the cause -- Luis Jarquin reportedly phoned Aleman after the meeting to confirm his loyalty to the PLC. Montealegre's presence, despite his apparent skepticism with the project (ref A),was a positive sign, and he and the Ambassador were able to firmly clarify that any deal with Aleman is unacceptable and self-defeating. It is still uncertain whether this core group of reformists will be able to convince a critical mass of Liberal mayors and town councilors to break with Aleman despite the threats and intimidation, and whether private sector organizations such as the Foro Liberal will finally loosen their purse strings to support democratic efforts. TRIVELLI