Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BERLIN1702
2008-12-22 14:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:
GERMAN RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON ASSISTANCE TO
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UNCLAS BERLIN 001702
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR WHA/CEN(KRAAIMOORE),EEB/IFD/ODF,IO/EDA AND EUR/AGS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN ECON EAID PREL UNGA NU GM
SUBJECT: GERMAN RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON ASSISTANCE TO
NICARAGUA FOLLOWING FRAUDULENT ELECTIONS
REF: STATE 132044
UNCLAS BERLIN 001702
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR WHA/CEN(KRAAIMOORE),EEB/IFD/ODF,IO/EDA AND EUR/AGS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN ECON EAID PREL UNGA NU GM
SUBJECT: GERMAN RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON ASSISTANCE TO
NICARAGUA FOLLOWING FRAUDULENT ELECTIONS
REF: STATE 132044
1. (SBU) On December 22, 2008, Econoff spoke with Christiane
Botschen, Deputy Head of Division for Mexico, Central America
& Caribbean, German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to urge host
country suspension of assistance to Nicaragua following the
fraudulent November 9 municipal elections. Having frozen
budgetary aid a year ago, Germany is in broad agreement with
U.S. imperatives regarding the suspension of assistance to
Nicaragua, reported Botschen. Germany is a member of the
International Donors Group and is also the head of the
Elections Group, she said, which issued a separate statement
critical of the November 9 elections. Botschen said the
European Union (EU) was likewise engaged on the issue. EU
Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner
recently sent a letter to Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Samuel
Santos Lopez informing him the EU Commission would suspend
assistance as of 2009, according to Botschen.
2. (SBU) Botschen noted Germany had not drawn a direct link
between assistance to Nicaragua and the November 9 elections
in its communications with the Nicaraguan government.
Rather, Germany's statements emphasized the need for
adherence to "democratic principles." Germany is in
"constant talks" with the government of Nicaragua concerning
the need for democratic reform, she commented. Botschen
confided, however, she was not optimistic at this point.
Koenig
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR WHA/CEN(KRAAIMOORE),EEB/IFD/ODF,IO/EDA AND EUR/AGS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN ECON EAID PREL UNGA NU GM
SUBJECT: GERMAN RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON ASSISTANCE TO
NICARAGUA FOLLOWING FRAUDULENT ELECTIONS
REF: STATE 132044
1. (SBU) On December 22, 2008, Econoff spoke with Christiane
Botschen, Deputy Head of Division for Mexico, Central America
& Caribbean, German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to urge host
country suspension of assistance to Nicaragua following the
fraudulent November 9 municipal elections. Having frozen
budgetary aid a year ago, Germany is in broad agreement with
U.S. imperatives regarding the suspension of assistance to
Nicaragua, reported Botschen. Germany is a member of the
International Donors Group and is also the head of the
Elections Group, she said, which issued a separate statement
critical of the November 9 elections. Botschen said the
European Union (EU) was likewise engaged on the issue. EU
Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner
recently sent a letter to Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Samuel
Santos Lopez informing him the EU Commission would suspend
assistance as of 2009, according to Botschen.
2. (SBU) Botschen noted Germany had not drawn a direct link
between assistance to Nicaragua and the November 9 elections
in its communications with the Nicaraguan government.
Rather, Germany's statements emphasized the need for
adherence to "democratic principles." Germany is in
"constant talks" with the government of Nicaragua concerning
the need for democratic reform, she commented. Botschen
confided, however, she was not optimistic at this point.
Koenig