NICARAGUA: INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION (IWC) DEMARCHE

UNCLAS MANAGUA 000760 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR OES/OA-JFIELD USDOC FOR CHERI MCCARTY/NMFS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIS SENV ETRD PREL KSCA IWC NU SUBJECT: NICARAGUA: INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION (IWC) DEMARCHE REF: STATE 57319 ¶1. (U) On June 11, Post delivered talking points on USG priorities for the International Whaling Commission (IWC) Meeting to INPESCA Executive President Stedman Fagoth. Fagoth was recently appointed the Nicaraguan Commissioner to the IWC and anticipates his attendance at the June 23 annual meeting in Santiago, Chile. Sandinista (FSLN) National Assembly Deputy Edwin Castro is Alternate Commissioner. ¶2. (U) Fagoth described Nicaragua's policy on whaling in general terms, emphasizing Nicaragua's longstanding position against whale hunting, and its commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development. He did not specifically address any of the main IWC priorities of reducing research whaling, establishing a South Atlantic sanctuary, or small-type Japanese coastal whaling. Nor did he offer comments on the specific USG priority of establishing small working groups, their size, or representation. ¶3. (SBU) Fagoth mentioned that environmentalist groups are pressuring the government to maintain its anti-whaling stance, while the Japanese are actively lobbying him to change Nicaragua's position. Nicaragua is the recipient of Japanese assistance, and this was the reason Fagoth gave why Nicaragua will listen to Japan's proposals and might shift its position more favorably toward their perspective. Fagoth will meet with his interagency on the issue, and then with President Ortega before departing for Chile. TRIVELLI