TFHA01: Ortega Calls U.S. Relief Effort in Haiti a Military

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAGUA 000158

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON PGOV PREL HA NU
SUBJECT: TFHA01: Ortega Calls U.S. Relief Effort in Haiti a Military
Invasion

REF: A. STATE 5277; B. STATE 4909; C. STATE 4854

Summary


1. (SBU) The Nicaraguan Army has dispatched 34 soldiers to Haiti
to assist with search and rescue efforts. Nicaragua also delivered
9 metric tons of foodstuffs and 9 metric tons of medical supplies.
President Ortega has criticized the U.S. relief effort, describing
it as a military invasion and claiming that our intent is to
install a military base in Haiti. Post has complained about these
false statements to Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) officials
and requested an opportunity to brief government officials on U.S.
relief efforts in Haiti. Media coverage, with the exception of
that provided by government-controlled outlets, has been relatively
balanced to date; nonetheless, post is using television and print
media to provide accurate information to the Nicaraguan public
about our relief efforts.



Aid Coordination


2. (U) On January 19, Econcouns contacted Renee Morales, Director
for North America at MINREX, to request that Nicaragua use the
United Nation's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
(OCHA) Financial Tracking System (FTS) to coordinate assistance
that Nicaragua provides to Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake
there (Ref B). Morales agreed to communicate the information
provided, including the website address for FTS, to those
responsible for coordinating assistance. She stated that on
January 14, Nicaragua dispatched a "Solidarity Brigade" comprising
32 soldiers of the Nicaraguan Army to assist in search and rescue
efforts. Government-owned media outlet "El 19" has reported that
the brigade has rescued 4 Haitians from collapsed buildings since
arriving. The team also delivered 3 metric tons of foodstuffs,
including beans, rice and cooking oil according to "El 19."




3. (U) First Lady Rosario Murillo announced on January 18 that the
Nicaraguan military would deliver a second shipment of commodities
to Haiti, including an additional 6 metric tons of foodstuff as
well as 9 metric tons of medical supplies. She also said that the
brigade currently in Nicaragua, under the command of the Nicaraguan
Army, would be expanded to include doctors and other health care
specialists.



Setting the Record Straight on U.S. Relief Efforts


4. (U) On January 15, President Ortega accused the United States
of "manipulating a drama to put U.S. troops in Haiti." He is
worried that U.S. troops have already taken over the airport in
Port au Prince, and U.S. naval vessels have encircled the country.
He claimed that the United States is looking to take advantage of
the tragedy in Haiti to install a military base there. "It makes
no sense that U.S. troops are landing in Haiti," Ortega said, and
"I hope they will withdraw these troops, because by occupying
Haiti, the United States is occupying Latin American and Caribbean
territory."




5. (SBU) Econcouns complained to MINREX's Morales that President
Ortega's characterization of U.S. relief efforts as a military
occupation were false and counterproductive to the efforts of the
international community to deliver much-needed assistance to Haiti.
After briefly describing the extent of U.S. humanitarian relief
efforts, he offered to provide Morales and other government
officials a comprehensive briefing to set the record straight on
our assistance, including our efforts to coordinate with the
Haitian Government and the international community.




6. (U) During a January 20 interview on a local television show,
the Charge d'Affaires described our relief efforts in Haiti,
emphasizing the humanitarian nature of our mission and the
importance of coordination with local authorities and the
international community. On January 21, we will discuss U.S.
relief efforts in Haiti with reporters from Nicaraguan newspapers
"La Prensa" and "El Nuevo Diario."



Comment


7. (SBU) MINREX is unlikely to respond to our request that we be
allowed to brief Nicaraguan officials on our relief efforts, but if
given the opportunity, we will make clear the negative reaction
that the comments President Ortega made on January 15 have
engendered within the USG. To date, with the exception of
government-controlled media such as "El 19," coverage of our relief
efforts in Haiti has been relatively fair and balanced.
Nonetheless, post will continue to provide information to local
media on U.S. relief efforts to counteract Ortega's misinformation.
SANDERS