

Currently released so far... 12404 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
ASEC
AE
AF
AM
AR
AJ
AU
AORC
AG
AEMR
AMGT
APER
AGMT
AL
AFIN
AO
AMED
ADCO
AS
ABUD
ABLD
ASUP
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
APECO
AID
AND
AMBASSADOR
AN
ARM
AY
AODE
AMG
ASCH
AMCHAMS
ARF
APCS
APEC
ASEAN
AGAO
ANET
ADPM
ACOA
ACABQ
AORL
AFFAIRS
ATRN
ACS
AFSI
AFSN
ADANA
ASIG
AA
AX
AUC
AC
AECL
AADP
AGRICULTURE
AMEX
ACAO
ACBAQ
AQ
AORG
ADM
AINF
AIT
ASEX
AGR
AROC
ATFN
AFGHANISTAN
AFU
AER
ALOW
AZ
AVERY
BA
BY
BU
BR
BE
BL
BO
BK
BM
BILAT
BH
BEXP
BF
BTIO
BC
BBSR
BMGT
BTIU
BG
BWC
BB
BD
BX
BP
BRUSSELS
BN
BIDEN
BT
CW
CH
CF
CD
CV
CVIS
CM
CE
CA
CJAN
CLINTON
CIA
CU
CASC
CI
CO
CACM
CDB
CN
CMGT
CS
CG
CBW
CIS
CR
CONDOLEEZZA
CPAS
CAN
CWC
CY
COUNTER
CDG
CL
CT
CIC
CIDA
CSW
CHR
CB
CODEL
COUNTERTERRORISM
CTR
COM
CICTE
CFED
CJUS
CKGR
CBSA
CEUDA
CARSON
CONS
CITEL
CLMT
CROS
CITT
CAC
CVR
CDC
CAPC
COPUOS
CBC
CBE
CARICOM
COE
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CACS
CTM
CNARC
ECON
EFIN
ETRD
EUN
EFIS
EG
ETTC
EZ
EPET
EAID
EAGR
ENRG
ECUN
EU
ELAB
ECPS
EAIR
EINV
ELTN
EWWT
EIND
EMIN
EI
ECIN
ENVR
ELECTIONS
EINVEFIN
EN
ES
ER
EC
EUC
EINT
EINVETC
ENGR
ET
EK
ENIV
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ECONOMY
EAP
EFTA
EUR
EUMEM
EXIM
ERD
ENERG
EUREM
ESA
ERNG
EXTERNAL
EPA
EINVECONSENVCSJA
ECONOMICS
ELN
EINN
EFINECONCS
ENNP
EEPET
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ENVI
ETRO
ESENV
ECINECONCS
ECONOMIC
EAIDS
EDU
ETRA
ETRN
EFIM
EIAR
ETRC
EAIG
EXBS
EURN
ECIP
EREL
ECA
ENGY
ECONCS
ECONEFIN
ETC
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUNCH
EINDETRD
IR
IZ
IS
IAEA
INRB
IRAJ
IQ
IN
IT
IMO
INTERPOL
ICAO
IO
IC
ITALY
ITALIAN
IRAQI
ICTY
ID
IPR
IWC
ILC
INTELSAT
IL
IBRD
IMF
IA
IRC
ICRC
ILO
ITU
ITRA
IV
IDA
IAHRC
ICJ
ISRAELI
IRS
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
ISLAMISTS
INDO
IZPREL
ITPHUM
ITPGOV
ITF
IBET
IEFIN
INR
IACI
INTERNAL
IDP
IGAD
IEA
ICTR
IIP
INRA
INRO
IF
KJUS
KSCA
KNNP
KU
KCOR
KCRM
KDEM
KTFN
KHLS
KPAL
KWBG
KACT
KGHG
KPAO
KTIA
KIRF
KWMN
KS
KG
KZ
KN
KMDR
KISL
KSPR
KHIV
KPRP
KAWK
KR
KUNR
KDRG
KCIP
KGCC
KTIP
KSUM
KPKO
KVIR
KAWC
KPIN
KGIC
KRAD
KIPR
KOLY
KCFE
KMCA
KE
KV
KICC
KNPP
KBCT
KSEP
KFRD
KFLU
KVPR
KOCI
KBIO
KSTH
KMPI
KCRS
KOMC
KTBT
KPLS
KIRC
KREL
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFLO
KBTS
KSTC
KTDB
KFSC
KX
KFTFN
KNEI
KIDE
KREC
KMRS
KICA
KPAONZ
KCGC
KSAF
KRGY
KCMR
KRVC
KVRP
KSEO
KCOM
KAID
KTEX
KNUC
KNAR
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KLIG
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCRCM
KHDP
KGIT
KNSD
KOMS
KWMM
KPAI
KHSA
KTLA
KO
KMFO
KRCM
KCSY
KSAC
KTRD
KPWR
KID
KWNM
KRIM
KPOA
KCHG
KOM
KSCI
KFIN
KMOC
KESS
KWAC
KMIG
KSEC
KIFR
KDEMAF
KPRV
KBTR
KERG
KTER
KDDG
KPAK
KRFD
KHUM
KDEV
KCFC
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KJUST
MARR
MOPS
MU
MTCRE
MNUC
MY
MASS
MCAP
MOPPS
MAR
MPOS
MO
ML
MR
MASC
MX
MD
MP
MA
MTRE
MIL
MCC
MZ
MK
MDC
MRCRE
MAPS
MV
MI
MEPN
MAPP
MEETINGS
MAS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MTCR
MG
MC
MARAD
MIK
MILITARY
MEDIA
MEPI
MUCN
MEPP
MT
MERCOSUR
MW
MASSMNUC
MQADHAFI
NZ
NATO
NG
NI
NO
NATIONAL
NU
NPT
NIPP
NL
NPG
NS
NA
NGO
NP
NSG
NDP
NAFTA
NR
NC
NH
NE
NSF
NPA
NK
NSSP
NRR
NATOPREL
NSC
NT
NW
NORAD
NEW
NV
NSFO
NAR
NASA
NZUS
OTRA
OVIP
OPRC
OPDC
OSCE
OAS
ODIP
OIIP
OFDP
OVP
OREP
OFFICIALS
OSAC
OEXC
OPCW
OIE
OIC
OFDA
OSCI
OPIC
OBSP
OECD
ON
OCII
OHUM
OES
OCS
OMIG
OPAD
OTR
PGOV
PREL
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PSOE
PINS
PARM
PK
PBTS
PEPR
PM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PREF
PBIO
PROP
PA
PSI
PINT
PO
PKFK
PL
PAK
PE
POLITICS
PINL
POL
PHSA
PU
PF
POV
PFOR
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PARMS
PRGOV
PNAT
POLINT
PRAM
PMAR
PG
PAO
PROG
PRELP
PPA
PCUL
PSEPC
PSA
PREO
PAHO
PGIV
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PAIGH
POSTS
PTBS
PGOVLO
PORG
PGOVE
PLN
PINF
PAS
PUNE
POLICY
PDEM
PDOV
PCI
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PBT
PHUMPGOV
PMIL
PNG
PP
PS
PHUH
PECON
POGOV
PY
PHUMPREL
PHUS
PRL
PGOC
PNR
PGGV
PROV
PTERE
PGOF
PHUMBA
PEL
RS
RU
RW
REGION
RP
RICE
ROBERT
RSP
RUPREL
RM
RO
RCMP
RSO
RELATIONS
REACTION
REPORT
RIGHTS
ROOD
RF
RFE
RIGHTSPOLMIL
SP
SA
SY
SF
SYR
SENV
SCUL
SOCI
SNAR
SO
SU
SG
STEINBERG
SHUM
SW
SMIG
SR
SZ
SIPRS
SI
SAARC
SPCE
SARS
SN
SYRIA
SANC
SL
SCRS
SC
SENVKGHG
SAN
SNARCS
SHI
SWE
SNARIZ
SIPDIS
SEN
SNARN
SPCVIS
SEVN
SSA
SH
SOFA
SK
ST
TPHY
TU
TRGY
TI
TX
TS
TW
TC
TFIN
TD
TSPA
TH
TT
TIP
TBIO
TSPL
TZ
TERRORISM
TRSY
TN
THPY
TINT
TF
TL
TV
TK
TO
TP
TURKEY
TNGD
TBID
TAGS
TR
UP
US
UNSC
UK
UZ
UE
UNESCO
UV
UNGA
UN
UNMIK
UNO
UY
UAE
UNEP
UG
UNHCR
UNHRC
USUN
UNAUS
USTR
USNC
USOAS
UNCHR
UNCSD
UNDP
USEU
USPS
UNDC
UNDESCO
UNCHC
UNFICYP
UNC
UNODC
UNPUOS
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCHS
UNVIE
USAID
UNIDROIT
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 07MANAGUA202, SECRETARY LEAVITT,S MEETING WITH PRESIDENT-ELECT
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #07MANAGUA202.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
07MANAGUA202 | 2007-01-25 14:02 | 2011-04-25 19:07 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Managua |
Appears in these articles: http://www.nacion.com/2011-04-25/Mundo/NotaPrincipal/Mundo2743916.aspx http://www.nacion.com/2011-04-25/Mundo/Relacionados/Mundo2743919.aspx http://www.nacion.com/2011-04-25/Mundo/Relacionados/Mundo2743922.aspx http://www.nacion.com/2011-04-25/Mundo/Relacionados/Mundo2752792.aspx |
VZCZCXRO8276
PP RUEHLMC
DE RUEHMU #0202/01 0251455
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 251455Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANAGUA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8758
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 0912
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUMIAAA/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 MANAGUA 000202
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE PASS HHS FOR SECRETARY LEAVITT AND OFFICE OF GLOBAL
HEALTH AFFAIRS (STEIGER AND CORREA-DE-ARAUJO),
MCA FOR AMBASSADOR DANILOVICH,
DEPT FOR WHA A/S SHANNON AND WHA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2017
TAGS: PGOV PINR KDEM NU PREL
SUBJECT: SECRETARY LEAVITT,S MEETING WITH PRESIDENT-ELECT
ORTEGA
Classified By: Ambassador Paul A. Trivelli. Reasons 1.4 (B,D).
¶1. (C) Summary: On January 9, 2007, in a meeting at
Sandinista Party Headquarters, the U.S. Presidential
Delegation (Presdel), led by Health and Human Services (HHS)
Secretary Michael Leavitt, discussed with then
SIPDIS
President-elect Daniel Ortega a new regional health-care
training initiative, Nicaragua's Millennium Challenge Account
(MCA-N) program, debt forgiveness, the designation of
Nicaragua's Ambassador to the United States, and Ortega's
campaign approach and political platform. President-elect
Ortega said he was encouraged by his recent phone
conversation with President Bush. He expressed interest in
the health initiative and arranged for a meeting for the
Secretary with the new Nicaraguan Minister of Health the
SIPDIS
following day. End Summary.
Shared Concerns over Health Care
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
¶2. (SBU) Responding to then-President-elect Ortega's opening
remark that his January 8, 2007 phone conversation with
President Bush was pleasant and positive and that they had
agreed to work together to combat poverty, Secretary Leavitt
noted that the President asked him personally to convey his
greetings to Ortega and to reiterate their shared commitment
to eliminate poverty, address health needs, and foster
economic freedom and well-being. The Secretary then offered
greetings from the American people and expressed his
particular commitment to work with Ortega and other Central
American Government leaders to improve the health conditions
of the region's citizenry - he shared the vision for a new
regional health initiative, whose centerpiece will be a
medical training center in Panama.
¶3. (SBU) The Secretary clarified that the health initiative
arose from a meeting in June 2006 of Central American
Ministers of Health, who expressed the need for a facility to
train hundreds of health workers each year from the region,
with an emphasis on nurses, technicians and community health
workers from poor, rural areas. Once trained, the workers
would return to their home areas to provide improved health
care. By providing the training in the region, rather than
abroad, health workers would be more likely to remain at
home, explained the Secretary, who added that while in
Nicaragua, he would meet with Heads of State and delegates
from Central American nations to discuss the initiative. He
noted that the next steps include drafting a Memorandum of
Understanding with the participation of interested countries,
visiting the countries to refine the details of the
initiative, and then possibly formalizing the agreement in an
official venue with the presence of Heads of State and Health
Ministers.
¶4. (SBU) Appearing pleased with the news of the initiative,
Ortega commented that health is a crucial sector for his
Government and suggested the Secretary meet with the incoming
Minister of Health, Maritza Quant, during his visit to
discuss details. (Note: The Secretary met with Quant on
January 10, 2007 septel.) Reiterating his desire to maintain
good relations with the United States and lauding the health
initiative as an example of the kind of cooperation he seeks,
Ortega then inquired about the status of the Millennium
Challenge Corporation Compact in Nicaragua (MCC-N).
Mentioning that he had last visited MCC departments of Leon
and Chinandega in September 2006, Ambassador Danilovich
replied that the MCC-N program is on schedule and has
disbursed about USD 5 million out of the $175 million
allocated. He attributed much of the MCC-N's success thus
far to the program's strong, quality local team.
In Search of Additional Millennium Challenge Account Funds
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
¶5. (SBU) Ortega observed that Nicaragua could benefit from
additional MCC funds, similar to the amount designated for El
Salvador's MCA program. Asserting that Nicaragua offers the
best conditions for an MCA program in the region, Ortega
noted that additional funds would help further combat
MANAGUA 00000202 002 OF 003
poverty, generate employment, build additional roads and
highways, and mobilize the country's productive forces -
including its agriculture and livestock sectors. Bolstering
MCA-N would also help correct the existing "asymmetries" in
CAFTA, enable Nicaraguans to comply with U.S. standards and
increase their exports to the United States. Further, argued
Ortega, increasing exports would make Nicaragua more
prosperous and, in turn, would help stem the tide of
Nicaraguan immigrants to the United States. Foreign
Minister-designate Samuel Santos added that he had raised the
idea of increasing the funding level for MCA-N during his
recent meeting with Assistant Secretary Shannon in
Washington. Ambassador Danilovich shared h
is interest in expanding the MCA program in Nicaragua, and
reminded Ortega that participation in the program requires
continued compliance with 18 eligibility indicators, and
strong ("benchmark") performance during implementation.
Debt Forgiveness and the Costa Ricans
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
¶6. (SBU) Bayardo Arce, a former National Assembly Deputy who
was not re-elected but is serving as one of Ortega's economic
advisors, sought our assistance in convincing the Costa Rican
Government to forgive bilateral Nicaraguan debt and to be
supportive of efforts in the Inter-American Development Bank
(IDB) to forgive Nicaragua's debt. Assistant Secretary
Shannon noted that we are actively engaged with the Costa
Ricans and other countries concerning Nicaragua's debt with
the IDB and encourage them to vote in favor of debt
forgiveness for the region's poorest countries. Shannon
responded that he would follow up on the matter. After the
Secretary voiced his appreciation for Arce's "straight
SIPDIS
agenda," Arce jested that "this is the American style."
Arturo Cruz Designated Ambassador to the United States
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
¶7. (C) The Ambassador noted he had heard Arturo Cruz, Jr.
could be Nicaragua's candidate to serve as Ambassador to the
United States, and added Cruz would be a good man for
Washington and someone with whom we could work well. Ortega
confirmed the designation. (Comment: Overall, Cruz would be
a good match, although given his closeness to the United
States, the Sandinistas are likely to watch him closely, and
his job will be difficult. Before the start of the bilat,
Cruz almost instinctively sat on our side of the table until
we gently reminded him that he was incorrectly positioned. A
political analyst, Cruz lived in the United States for years
and has served as a consultant to Salvadoran President Tony
Saca. We will meet with Cruz within the next few days to
discuss the agrement process and bilateral concerns and
priorities.)
Secretary and Ortega Share Election Campaign Experiences
SIPDIS
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
¶8. (SBU) Referring to his three successful campaigns for
Governor of Utah, the Secretary highlighted the importance of
his own wife's backing during the campaign and added he had
heard Ortega's wife had played a significant role in the
success of Ortega's presidential race. Ortega acknowledged
Rosario Murrillo's support and noted she is a poet and a
creative intellectual who set the tone of the campaign
platform and crafted its slogan of "work, peace, and
reconciliation," in an effort to heal both "internal and
external wounds." According to Ortega, the campaign this
time was different because of this approach; in most cases,
he said, people were more tolerant and less confrontational
than in previous elections. While at first he encountered
some resistance in the Sandinista political party base, whose
members were accustomed to a more adversarial campaign,
Ortega explained that most of his supporters came around to
the new approach.
¶9. (SBU) In Ortega's view, his message of reconciliation
served to calm the fears of many of those who opposed him in
the past, and pointed to accords he had reached with some of
them before the election (probably referring to retired
MANAGUA 00000202 003 OF 003
Cardinal Obando y Bravo and former Contra Salvador Talavera,
who, while he won on the Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance (ALN)
ticket, signed a pre-election "peace and reconciliation"
agreement with Ortega). Further, since his electoral
victory, a number of others who opposed him have sought
rapprochement and inclusion, he claimed. Ortega assured the
Secretary he intends to continue his approach of
SIPDIS
reconciliation and to include all Nicaraguans, regardless of
a person's ideology or social position.
Rosario Speaks Up
- - - - - - - - -
¶10. (SBU) Expanding on Ortega's observations, Rosario
Murillo commented that, as revolutionaries, the Sandinistas
must transform the conscience of the people and Nicaragua's
political culture. Nicaraguans are tired of conflict and
desire solidarity and reconciliation in a society "in synch
with the soul of the people" and where love and affection
predominate, she said. She explained that the FSLN campaign
slogan "United, Nicaragua triumphs," reflects this sentiment,
as the new government will seek to use Nicaragua's diversity
to unite its people.
¶11. (SBU) In closing, the Secretary conveyed his
appreciation for the opportunity to share such a historic
moment in Nicaragua's history and reiterated our commitment
to democracy, economic and political freedom, and the
Nicaraguan people.
¶12. (C) Participants:
FSLN Participants:
Daniel Ortega, President-elect
Rosario Murillo, Chief of Staff and Ortega spouse
Samuel Santos, Foreign Minister-designate
Bayardo Arce, outgoing National Assembly Deputy
Arturo Cruz, designated Nicaraguan Ambassador to the United
States
Muhamad Muhktar Muhamad Lashtar, note taker (incoming
PARLACEN alternate for FSLN. He is a former Libyan
intelligence chief assigned to Nicaragua who has since become
a Nicaraguan citizen. His presence created a strong
"undertow" that belied the overall cordial and collegial tone
of the meeting.)
U.S.:
Secretary Michael Leavitt
SIPDIS
MCC CEO John Danilovich
Assistant Secretary Tom Shannon
Ambassador Paul Trivelli
DCM Peter Brennan
HHS Special Assistant to the Secretary for International
Affairs William Steiger
Political Counselor Victoria Alvarado (notetaker)
¶13. (U) This cable was cleared by Secretary Leavitt, MCC
Danilovich, and A/S Shannon.
TRIVELLI