TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2011
Nicaragua News Bulletin (November 29, 2011)
1. Political news roundup2. “Trustworthy source” said US has new choice for ambassador
3. Costa Rica builds highway in San Juan River floodplain
4. Central American women march for end to violence
5. Imports of chickens and eggs cause controversy
6. Organic cotton to be harvested
7. Russian wheat guarantees Nicaraguan bread
8. Central America united for Durban climate talks
1. Political news roundup
President Daniel Ortega met with the newly elected Sandinista legislators on Nov. 24 and noted the exceptional representation of women in the delegation. He said, “I want to emphasize what has been a struggle for years over how to achieve in a machista society such as our Nicaragua more participation of women, more space. It has been a long struggle and I would say that the determination and tenacity of Rosario [Murillo] has been the important, determining factor that finally made this objective a reality.” Of the 62 Sandinista deputies elected to the National Assembly, 33 are women, a record. He also said that discussion of legislative initiatives in the next period should not be limited to the debate in the Assembly but should include all of the population.
Losing presidential candidate Fabio Gadea said that neither he nor his running mate Edmundo Jarquin would take the National Assembly seat allotted to the second highest vote getter in the recent elections. He said that he had won the Nov. 6 vote and that “these elections should be repeated with observers from all over the world.” Gadea said, however, that he was in favor of the deputies elected on the Independent Liberal Party (PLI) Alliance ticket taking their seats in the National Assembly. Also, the Constitutional Panel of the Supreme Court said that on Nov. 30 it would take up the case of the challenges by two separate factions of the PLI to some of the elected PLI deputies. Justice Francisco Rosales, head of the panel, said, “This court has ruled on more than one occasion that when there are events that have been consummated [like elections], it is very difficult to change the decisions, especially when it is a decision of the Nicaraguan people.”
Civil society organizations announced last week that they would hold a march on Dec. 3 to demand the nullification of the election results and the holding of new elections. Carlos Tunnerman of the Movement for Nicaragua [founded by the International Republican Institute of the United States] said that the march was “open to all the people of Nicaragua, but especially to all of us who feel that our vote was stolen.” Fabio Gadea said he would march at the front of the demonstration, which is scheduled to march to the Supreme Electoral Council.
Retired Colonel Victor Boitano was scheduled to testify on Nov. 28 before electoral law prosecutor Armando Juarez about plans he revealed last week to destabilize the country during the elections. However, the appearance was postponed when Boitano sent a note to Juarez saying that he was ill. Boitano had said the plot was hatched by officials of the United States in collaboration with the PLI Alliance. He said that he continued to be a critic of the government of Ortega but was not willing to be a part of the planned actions which included promoting violence and sabotaging the release of voter cards. Juarez rescheduled the hearing for Nov. 30. Speaking at the Organization of American States, Nicaraguan ambassador to that organization Denis Moncada denounced the plot described by Boitano saying, “For the government of Nicaragua it is unacceptable that foreign governments, through officials accredited in our country… intervene in our electoral process trying to discredit and destabilize our country.”
Richard Downes, chargé d'affaires at the US Embassy, denied the accusations of Boitano saying, “We have listened to some words against the government of the United States, and my mission and I can say that they have no basis in fact.” He added that his government is ready to work with the private sector and the government of Nicaragua for more education and a better future for Nicaragua's children and he added the US is committed to the people of Nicaragua.
Meanwhile, Mendel Goldstein, representative of the European Union, said that the EU is committed to Central America and to Nicaragua and noted that next year a trade agreement between Central America and the EU will enter into force and he foresees “very wide bilateral cooperation with each one of the countries and also at the regional level.” When asked about whether the EU would continue its aid to Nicaragua after its electoral observation team criticized a lack of transparency on the part of election officials, he said, “The EU will continue to be present.” He noted, in particular, future cooperation in the areas of security and climate change. But, he said that the EU would have conversations with Nicaragua about changes to the election law and changes in the makeup of the Supreme Electoral Council. Observers noted a change toward a more conciliatory tone on the part of the representatives of the EU and the US. (Informe Pastran, Nov. 22, 25, 28; Radio La Primerisima, Nov. 22, 28; El Nuevo Diario, Nov. 22, 28; La Prensa, Nov. 24)
2. “Trustworthy source” said US has new choice for ambassador
Informe Pastran has published a story citing a “trustworthy diplomatic source” stating that the Obama administration has decided to drop the nomination of Jonathon Farrar as ambassador to Nicaragua and instead nominate Phyllis M. Powers, current US ambassador to Panama. Farrar, whose previous posting was as head of the US Interests Section in Cuba has had his nomination held up in the US Senate by a hold placed by anti-Cuban Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Marco Rubio (R-FL). They believe that Farrar was not supportive enough of Cuban dissidents and would not be firm enough with President Daniel Ortega.
Prior to her appointment as Ambassador to Panama, Powers, who is considered an expert in narcotics trafficking, was Director of Provincial Affairs in the US Embassy in Iraq. She served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Peru from 2005-2007. Until 2005, Powers served in Colombia as the Director of the Narcotics Affairs Section responsible for the Counter-Narcotics program known as Plan Colombia. She has also held State Department posts dealing with South and East Asia. A graduate of Pennsylvania State University, Powers is a certified medical technician. She joined the State Department in 1978. The US Embassy in Nicaragua declined to confirm the story. (Informe Pastran, Nov. 22; La Prensa, Nov. 22; Radio La Primerisima, Nov. 22; El Nuevo Diario, Nov. 24)
3. Costa Rica builds highway in San Juan River floodplain
President Daniel Ortega said that he would protest the construction by Costa Rica of a highway in the floodplain of the San Juan River to the International Court of Justice at The Hague (World Court) where a boundary dispute between the two countries is pending. Ortega said he would also request that representatives of the Ramsar Convention on International Wetlands visit the site as soon as possible to assess the damage caused by the project which parallels the river for most of its length. He also said that while Costa Rica had every right to build a highway, it was bound by treaty to inform Nicaragua of any activities that it intended to take that could affect the river which is entirely Nicaraguan.
Geographer and environmentalist Jaime Incer Barquero said that building the highway will cause “immense damage.” He noted that “the San Juan River will receive enormous quantities of sediment which will cause turbidity and impede the development of aquatic life.” He went on to say, “The most paradoxical thing is that while Costa Rica protested because in the San Juan River we cleared out a channel that measured no more than 800 meters, they are causing immense damage to almost 120 kilometers of river… in a way that destroys any theory that Costa Rica protects nature.”
Costa Rican Foreign Minister Enrique Castillo responded that his country is not concerned about any complaint to the World Court because the construction was in Costa Rican territory and the government did not have to ask Nicaragua for permission to build it. He said that Ortega was just putting up a smoke screen to distract attention from the criticisms of the Nov. 6 elections and he added that the protest merely shows that Ortega's government has plenty of money to spend filing legal cases against its neighbors.
El Nuevo Diario sent reporters to investigate the zone where the highway is being built parallel to the river from Los Chiles to the Delta on the Atlantic Coast. They observed that in some places the road is only 20 meters from the river and somewhat further away where there were hills that were more difficult to cut through. Writers expressed concern that, with the clearing of trees, more of the dangerous agricultural chemicals used on Costa Rican farms will find their way into the river. One Costa Rican farmer told El Nuevo Diario, “We pay our taxes as the law commands. But they have divided our properties, destroyed our fences, cut down the forests, and we can't make any claims.” A Costa Rican forest ranger in charge of macaw nests said he couldn't measure the habitat sacrificed, especially of the macaw (some species of which he said are endangered), and he was concerned because he said “I have seen some macaws acting crazy.” (El Nuevo Diario, Nov. 24, 26, 28; La Prensa, Nov. 26; Radio La Primerisima, Nov. 28)
4. Central American women march for end to violence
On Nov. 25, thousands of Central American women marched in the capitals of their countries demanding an end to violence against women and children and also for an end to the reining impunity for the perpetrators of that violence. Organizers said that so far this year 1,400 women have been murdered in Central America. In Guatemala, where 651 women have died this year and 99% of the crimes are never resolved, over 2,000 women marched in the historical downtown of Guatemala City. In San Salvador, women marched to the Supreme Court to “make the problem of violence visible.” Mayra Scott, one of the organizers of the march said that 300 women had died so far this year in El Salvador. In Costa Rica, where 500 women marched, organizers said 63 women had died this year.
In Nicaragua the women began their commemoration of the International Day to End Violence against Women on the eve of that day with a rally at the National Assembly demanding passage of a bill introduced last year that would mandate the maximum 30 year sentence to those convicted of murdering a woman. Organizers said that 81 women had been killed in Nicaragua in the first 11 months of 2011. Sandra Ramos of the Maria Elena Cuadra Movement said, “My right is not just that you give me roofing, but my right is also that if you give me roofing, if you give me a house, guarantee me also that in my house there is no rape… And a step toward that is the passage of the law that punishes all forms of violence against women.” Matilde Lindo of the Network of Women against Violence said that “What we are trying to do each year is to teach the population that it is not only the government that should defend the human rights of women, but rather each one of us can prevent women from being attacked.” (La Prensa, Nov. 24, 25; Radio La Primerisima, Nov. 24)
5. Imports of chickens and eggs cause controversy
On Nov. 22, the government announced that it had authorized the importation of 600 tons of chicken from the United States in order to lower prices for consumers for the holiday season. The Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP) immediately protested saying that the national poultry sector had not been consulted and would be negatively affected by the imports. COSEP President Jose Adan Aguerri said that it was important to guarantee the welfare of Nicaraguan chicken companies and that the decision violated the way the government and business had worked together in the past. Presidential economic advisor Bayardo Arce responded that in fact the local market is dominated by the transnational company Cargill, which controls 61% of the market and the government always tries to put in place balanced economic measures that permit economic growth while benefiting the consumer.
Alfredo Velez of the Nicaraguan Association of Poultry Producers (ANAPA) said that the government was “destabilizing the sector that had invested around US$200 million to make itself self sufficient and now they are bringing in imports that are taking us to the edge of bankruptcy.” He also protested the importing of eggs from Honduras.
On the other hand, Juan Caldera, president of the Cooperative of Consumer Solidarity at Eastern Market, said that, “The government is simply responding to the request of the consuming public for a just price.” Other grocers said that 600 tons of chicken would not be enough for the holiday season and asked for further imports. Arce said that he would study the policies and give a prompt answer to their concerns. (El Nuevo Diario, Nov. 22; Radio La Primerisima, Nov. 22; La Prensa, Nov. 22)
6. Organic cotton to be harvested
In January, a pilot project of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will harvest its first 2,750 acres of organic cotton. The program was started in hopes of satisfying the textile industry's demand and initiating the practice of organic cotton farming. Cotton growing was abandoned several decades ago due to the high production cost, low world market prices and environmental damage. In the middle of the 20th century Nicaragua each year planted half a million acres of cotton.
The cotton farms involved in this project cultivate their crop without reliance on insecticides or other environmentally harmful chemicals. In addition to providing organic cotton for thread and cloth, the seeds will be used to produce edible oil and use the rest of the plant for animal feed. If the outcomes are as favorable as expected, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ariel Bucardo said that cotton production could expand gradually to 34,000 acres and they would consider the possibility of exporting some of the organic cotton. (Radio La Primerisima, Nov. 28)
7. Russian wheat guarantees Nicaraguan bread
The first 25,000 tons of donated wheat from Russia arrived in the port of Corinto last week. The donation will insure a sufficient supply of flour at reasonable prices for the next three months. It is the first of four 25,000 ton shipments over the next year, according to Nelson Largaespada of the National Basic Foods Company (ENABAS). Largaespada said that the Russian wheat insures that there will be no repeat of the recurring bread shortages that occurred during the 17 years of neoliberal governments. Trade Minister Orlando Solorzano said that the total value of the shipment is US$35.2 million. Nicaragua's three mills agreed to buy the full shipment of wheat to mill into flour. The government announced a goal of producing more bread at a lower price. Some bakeries complained, however, that even with sufficient supply, the price of the flour, plus shortening, sugar, other ingredients and fuel costs keep them from making a profit.
Solorzano noted that, besides the donation of wheat, in the past few months Russia has donated 500 buses and 500 Lada taxis to modernize the public transportation fleet in Managua. In August, Nicaragua signed a US$26 million aid agreement with the Russian Emercom Agency to improve its systems of response to natural disasters. In January the bi-national commission of the two countries will meet in Moscow to discuss development projects in the areas of energy, tourism, trade, culture and other areas. Nicaragua, Venezuela and a couple of small island nations were the only countries to recognize the break-away Georgian Republics of Abkhazia and South Osetia which were supported by Russia. And, of course, there are strong ties of friendship between Nicaragua and the former Soviet Union which led to renewed foreign aid from Russian when the Sandinistas once again won the presidency in 2006. (Radio La Primerisima, Nov. 25, 26, 28; La Prensa, Nov. 24, Nov. 25; El Nuevo Diario, Nov. 28; Informe Pastran, Nov. 24)
8. Central America united for Durban climate talks
The five countries of Central America, along with the Dominican Republic, Panama, and Belize, are going to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa, this week with a united position on defense of the environment. The eight nations met last week in San Salvador to determine their joint strategy. Salvadoran Environmental Minister Herman Rosa Chavez summed up the joint position saying, “If the climate continues to worsen there will be no adaptation. We are going to demand a second period of the Kyoto Protocol [to reduce greenhouse gases].”
Rosa Chavez said that Central America is practically invisible on the international scale, but is one of the regions hardest hit by climate change. Paul Oquist, Nicaragua's representative in the talks, said that six of the eight nations in the past years have ranked within the top 10 highest risk countries in the world for climate change. Rosa Chavez said that another demand will be fulfillment of the promises of financial support although the method of channeling the funds has not been approved. Another Central American aspiration is for the developed countries to advance the negotiations for a mechanism to reduce emissions and thus prevent even greater damages and losses from climate change. The damage caused to Central America by tropical storms in October has leant urgency to Central America's hope for success in Durban. (Radio La Primerisima, Nov. 23)
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