Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BERN57
2009-02-06 15:39:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bern
Cable title:  

ADDITIONAL SWISS INPUT REGARDING CALL FOR FREEZING

Tags:  EAID PGOV PREL NU SZ 
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VZCZCXYZ0006
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSW #0057 0371539
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 061539Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY BERN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5641
UNCLAS BERN 000057 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHAT/CEN (A.KRAAIMOORE) AND EUR/CE (Y.SAINT-ANDRE)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PGOV PREL NU SZ
SUBJECT: ADDITIONAL SWISS INPUT REGARDING CALL FOR FREEZING
NON-HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO NICARAGUA FOLLOWING
FRAUDULENT ELECTIONS

REF: A. A. SECSTATE 132044

B. B. BERN 00655

UNCLAS BERN 000057

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHAT/CEN (A.KRAAIMOORE) AND EUR/CE (Y.SAINT-ANDRE)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PGOV PREL NU SZ
SUBJECT: ADDITIONAL SWISS INPUT REGARDING CALL FOR FREEZING
NON-HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO NICARAGUA FOLLOWING
FRAUDULENT ELECTIONS

REF: A. A. SECSTATE 132044

B. B. BERN 00655


1. (SBU) Further to reftel A request for Switzerland to
freeze non-humanitarian assistance to Nicaragua following its
fraudulent municipal elections of November 9, and reftel B
interim response, Nora Kronig, Regional Coordinator for
Central and South America at the Swiss Federal Department of
Foreign Affairs (EDA),called Poloff on 28 January 2009 to
provide the following input from her Swiss contacts concerned
with this issue. Kronig said that EDA took note of the USG
position and was interested to know where the U.S. stood in
this regard. The GOS is, according to Kronig, aware of the
risks associated with the Nicaraguan situation and is
following the developments with great attention. Further,
Swiss interlocutors are discussing the municipal elections
and their consequences within the Donors Group of Nicaragua.


2. (SBU) Kronig added that Switzerland has expressed concern
with the elections by way of a press communique and has also
done so bilaterally with the GON. Given the exclusion of two
political parties in this election, Switzerland has addressed
its concern at the Minister of Foreign Affairs level between
the GOS and GON.


3. (SBU) The Budget Support Group, which Kronig explained
gives financial assistance to the Nicaraguan government to
implement programs, differs from the development/humanitarian
aid provided by Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for
Development and Cooperation (SDC). Kronig stated that the
Budget Support Group met in mid-January to assess the
situation and discuss the continuation of providing
assistance to Nicaragua, adding that the group decided that
Nicaragua's actions will "bear consequences," and a
suspension of budget support will not be excluded as a
possibility. The GOS has, at this time, decided that
programs and projects that have been supported by Switzerland
for a long time will be maintained, but under increased
vigilance.


4. (SBU) Kronig closed by explaining that Switzerland has
always acted as a constructive partner and an honest broker
in its relations with Nicaragua, and that the GOS will
continue to opt for open and constructive dialogue. That
said, she noted that Switzerland will voice critical views
and encourage democracy, non-violence, human rights, and the
rule of law, and will seek constructive solutions where
problems arise.
CARTER