INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Nicaragua: Mfa Non-Committal On Prisoners Of

Published: Wed 7 May 2008 10:47 PM
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHMU #0570 1282247
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 072247Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY MANAGUA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2566
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAGUA 000570
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CEN
DRL/MLGA FOR D. WALTERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/07/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL EUN NU
SUBJECT: NICARAGUA: MFA NON-COMMITTAL ON PRISONERS OF
CONSCIENCE DECLARATION
REF: SECSTATE 40380
Classified By: Ambassador Paul Trivelli for reasons 1.4(b, d)
1. (C) On May 6, poloff delivered reftel demarche to
Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials Mario Barquero,
Director for the Non-Aligned Movement, and Renee Morales,
Director for North American Affairs. While neither was
familiar with the draft declaration itself, Barquero
immediately recognized the unstated Cuban human rights
subtext and smugly raised the issue of USG treatment of
Guantanamo detainees. In the ensuing decussion, Barquero
gave no indication of either support or opposition to the
declaration's basic points, but did agree to discuss with the
GON's UN representatives.
COMMENT
- - - -
2. (C) Although this declaration seeks to take a thematic
approach to the issue of prisoners of conscience, given
President Daniel Ortega's close personal ties to Cuba, there
is little chance that the GON will support this initiative.
This was made clear by Barquero's poorly concealed smirk when
we brought up the declaration and asked for GON support.
TRIVELLI
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