VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHMU #2472 3181310
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 141310Z NOV 07 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY MANAGUA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1675
INFO RUEHMU/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS
UNCLAS MANAGUA 002472
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/PDA BLAKENEY VASQUEZ
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MOPS KPAO PREL MASS NU
SUBJECT: COMMEMORATING THE GREAT WHITE FLEET IN NICARAGUA
REF: SECSTATE 153116
1. (SBU) Embassy Nicaragua appreciates the invitation to
commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Great White Fleet.
We note that President Ortega has exhibited a penchant for
attacking "U.S. imperialism and interventionism," though not
the Great White Fleet specifically. However, Ortega also
begrudgingly acknowledges that the U.S., particularly the
military, have consistently provided humanitarian assistance
to the Nicaraguan people in times of crisis, including most
recently, the September 2007 operation to provide relief
following Hurricane Felix.
2. (SBU) In light of these considerations, we believe that
the most appropriate method to commemorate this anniversary
would be to incorporate commemoration events into the already
planned port visits scheduled for 2008. These include the
confirmed visit of the USS Kearsarge to Puerto Cabezas August
6-21, 2008 to undertake humanitarian operations including
medical, dental and veterinary care, as well as humanitarian
construction projects. A second opportunity would be during
the potential visit of the USS Forrest Sherman to Puerto
Corinto in July 2008.
TRIVELLI