NICARAGUA: MONTERREY CONSENSUS WORKING AT MUNICIPAL LEVEL

UNCLAS MANAGUA 000253 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CEN, WHA/EPSC, IO, AND EEB E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ECON EFIN ETRD EINV PGOV NU SUBJECT: NICARAGUA: MONTERREY CONSENSUS WORKING AT MUNICIPAL LEVEL REF: STATE 15117 ¶1. (SBU) In response to reftel request, Post continues to promote Financing for Development (FfD) and President Bush's New Development Compact based on partnership with countries that govern justly, invest in their peoples, and encourage economic freedom. The partnership with the new Sandinista government has worked well in some sectors at the technical level, particularly in health and education, where the government has welcomed and supports USG and other donors' assistance programs. However, donors agree that the central government has been averse to partnering in the area of governance, and that the "global partnership" with the government is weak. ¶2. (SBU) One of Nicaragua's challenges is the lack of a national development plan. The plan developed by the former government is being revised and is scheduled to be released in June or July, 2008. While donors continue to meet among themselves to harmonize programs, the dialogue and coordination with the government has been limited. Leadership on all foreign assistance issues rests with the Foreign Ministry, particularly with Vice Minister Valdrack Jaentschke. ¶3. (SBU) The USG continues to work with the government, but has shifted its development assistance emphasis to working with the private sector and civil society, including faith-based organizations, and forming partnerships at the local municipal level. Our programs continue to show positive results through partnerships with the private sector and with the growing civil society movement. Financing for Development is widely accepted by the Municipal governments, which are closer to their constituents and must address the needs of their communities. TRIVELLI