NICARAGUAN MFA OUTLINES D'ESCOTO'S PLAN FOR UNGA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAGUA 000500 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO/MPR/SC BRIAN HACKETT DEPT FOR IO/UNP - JOHN MARIZ AND ROBIN DEPT FOR WHA/FO AND WHA/CEN USUN FOR RON GODARD E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/22/2018 TAGS: PREL AORC UN UNGA UNGA NU SUBJECT: NICARAGUAN MFA OUTLINES D'ESCOTO'S PLAN FOR UNGA PRESIDENCY REF: MANAGUA 451 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Ambassador Paul A. Trivelli for reasons 1.4(b,d) ¶1. (C) In an April 18 meeting with us, Magda Enriquez Beitler, Director for International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA),discussed Miguel d'Escoto Brockman's potential presidency of the 63rd UN General Assembly (UNGA). Before outlining his priority issues, Enriquez acknowledged USG concerns about D'Escoto's past and recent outspoken criticism of the U.S., but insisted that d'Escoto "will not take personal positions" and "he understands that he represents all nations" in the UN system. Further, she said D'Escoto's "cabinet" would include "representatives from around the world" in order to "represent the UN's membership diversity." ¶2. (C) According to Enriquez, d'Escoto's priority issues for his presidency include: Disarmament, hunger and poverty alleviation, terrorism and human rights, climate change, women and children's issues, and democratization of the UN. (NOTE: These priorities are largely consistent with those outlined in an April 4 letter (reftel) to Secretary Rice from FM Samuel Santos soliciting support for d'Escoto's candidacy. END NOTE) Enriquez, who will join d'Escoto's New York team in a yet-to-be-determined role, was careful to stress that d'Escoto is "not placing any one issue above the other." Prior to assuming the presidency, d'Escoto and his advisors are planning to "meet with experts from all over the world in these priority areas" over the next two months "to gain a better understanding." ¶3. (C) On the issue of "democratization of the UN," Enriquez quoted d'Escoto as likening the UNGA to a "parliament" and the Security Council to an "Executive Committee" within the "framework of globalization." She indicated d'Escoto would start by "strengthening the General Assembly," but did not offer specific details. Enriquez mentioned that d'Escoto will push to expand the membership of the Security Council to include an additional four permanent and four or five non-permanent positions. d'Escoto would like to see permanent council seats for Germany, India, Brazil, and Japan. Enriquez emphasized that d'Escoto "doesn't want revolution within the UN structure," stating that "he believes in multilateral relationships and sees them as the basis of power for small countries." ¶4. (C) Separately, but on this theme, on April 16 the Colombian Ambassador in Managua recounted to us details of a recent session here between d'Escoto and local GRULAC Chiefs of Mission that he described as "just plain frightening." He said d'Escoto launched into a barrage of anti-U.S. rhetoric and claimed that his mandate would be to remove the UN system from the thrall of the imperialist U.S. d'Escoto reportedly said he hopes to "completely re-order and reform" the UN and the way it treats the developing world. d'Escoto also reportedly said that he planned to assemble a staff of "25 of the brightest minds in the world" who will assist him in his task. ¶5. (C) COMMENT: The Ortega Administration appears to have put a great deal of planning and effort into d'Escoto's UNGA presidency campaign. Begun nearly one year ago, the GON successfully lobbied for support within the NAM and exploited the main vulnerability of their own GRULAC regional grouping -- its pathological need for consensus -- to outflank any potential challengers. However, all this careful spadework may be for naught given that the GON (and apparently d'Escoto himself) does not appear to truly understand the complexity of the UN, especially the sensitive topic of UN reform and the negative reaction likely to follow his first outrageous anti-U.S. screed. Ultimately, d'Escoto himself may be his worst enemy. The combination of his deep loathing of the U.S., his impatience for those who can't grasp the grandeur of his "unity" vision, and his generally unpleasant personal demeanor suggest an administration of conflict, ill will and squandered opportunities. MANAGUA 00000500 002 OF 002 TRIVELLI