FSLN CENSUS AN ATTEMPT TO MAP OPPOSITION LEADERS,

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAGUA 000798 SIPDIS SIPDIS WHA/CEN, DRL E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/27/2017 TAGS: KDEM NU PGOV PHUM PINR PREL SUBJECT: FSLN CENSUS AN ATTEMPT TO MAP OPPOSITION LEADERS, DRAW THEM WITH FALSE PROMISES, CLAIMS MISKITO LEADER (C-AL7-00063) REF: MANAGUA 0385 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Ambassador Paul A. Trivelli. Reasons 1.4 (B,D). ¶1. (C) Miskito leader Osorno Coleman, who lost his bid for a National Assembly seat on the Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance (ALN) ticket in November 2006, is convinced that pro-Sandinista (FSLN) Miskito leaders Brooklyn Rivera and Stedman Fagoth are directing an FSLN "census" of ex-combatants on the Atlantic Coast. The pair are using the pretext that respondents will soon receive generous indemnification for their suffering and sacrifice during Nicaragua's 1980s civil war. Coleman, a former Contra commander also known as "Comandante Blas," reported to PolCouns on March 23 that Rivera and Fagoth are assuring Miskitos the U.S. government will abide by the International Court of Justice's 1980s ruling in favor of Nicaragua's suit against the United States. ¶2. (C) According to Coleman, FSLN leaders are claiming that part of the compensation from The Hague decision will be given to the Miskitos for their suffering. Moreover, they are attempting to convince the Miskito population that the U.S. is to blame for Nicaragua's 1980s civil war. Coleman added that Rivera and Fagoth are also spreading the rumor that the U.S. will contribute $300 million to the Nicaraguan government's Peace and Reconciliation Commission led by Ortega loyalist Cardinal Obando y Bravo. (Note: President Ortega has publicly called on the United States to contribute $300 million towards the Peace and Reconciliation Commission to compensate the Contras who fought for the United States.) ¶3. (C) Coleman explained that he wanted to confirm his suspicions that the Sandinistas' assurances of compensation are mere rumors that they are exploiting to "map" the experience and current whereabouts of ex-combatants as a means to control them. He clarified that although a $300-million fund to help the Contras would be very helpful, placing the funds in the hands of the Sandinistas would be a disaster, as it would serve only to bolster their popularity. PolCouns, who confirmed that these are indeed Sandinista-generated rumors, clarified that soon after Violeta Chamorro assumed the presidency, the Nicaraguan government withdrew its case and that it is a non-issue that the FSLN has revived -- possibly in an effort find the monies it needs to deliver on its campaign promises and possibly to stir nationalistic sentiments. ¶4. (C) Coleman promised to disseminate the facts to the Miskitos. He also mentioned his plans to write a book on the true story of the Miskito struggle against the 1980s Sandinista regime and solicited our ideas for funding the project. (Note: Coleman forwarded an outline of his book on March 25. He is seeking $2,000 to defray some of the expenses associated with his book.) TRIVELLI