US embassy cable - 04MANAGUA1783

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAGUA 001783 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/17/2014 
TAGS: EAID, PHUM, SOCI, NU, ECLAC, UN 
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO ECLAC DEMARCHE: NICARAGUA WILL SUPPORT 
USG POSITION 
 
REF: STATE 120607 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Barbara C. Moore, Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d) 
 
1. (C) Ambassador delivered demarche contained reftel to 
Nicaraguan Minister of Health Jose Antonio Alvarado.  After 
carefully reviewing the materials, Alvarado subsequently 
informed the Ambassador that he completely agreed with the US 
position.  He noted that though he is not likely to attend 
the San Juan meeting, he would make sure that the Nicaraguan 
delegation supported the US approach in Puerto Rico. 
 
2. (C) USAID Director then met with Secretary of the 
Presidency (SECEP) Mario De Franco and Vice Minister of 
Foreign Affairs Mauricio Gomez to follow up on Ambassador's 
earlier demarche and reiterate points contained reftel. Key 
points made to De Franco and Gomez were: (1) the proposed 
language points to an unqualified re-affirmation of the ICPD 
Cairo 1994 Program of Action, and the US, Nicaragua and many 
other LAC countries have, in fact, filed reservations with 
this language; (2) support for "adolescent reproductive 
health services" must be linked to parental rights and 
responsibilities and language about abstinence before 
marriage should be the preferred method/message for 
adolescents; (3) the proposal includes code language which 
could be interpreted as support for abortion rights; and (4) 
in the discussion of HIV/AIDS there is no recognition of the 
validity of an A-B-C approach. 
 
3.  (C)  USAID Director noted that since it appears that Luis 
Angel Hernandez of SECEP would attend the San Juan meeting, 
the USG wanted to ensure that Hernandez had instructions 
regarding Nicaragua's position as Minister Alvarado had 
promised the Ambassador. (Note: Hernandez attended the 
preparatory Santiago meeting in March where the objectionable 
proposed language for San Juan was drafted and, despite 
earlier stated Nicaraguan public positions opposing this 
language, Hernandez had not expressed this opposition in 
Santiago.  End Note.)  De Franco stated that he would ensure 
that Hernandez would have a copy of the draft declaration 
that the Ambassador provided the Minister of Health. He 
reaffirmed that the GON had no issue with the U.S. position 
and would instruct the Nicaraguan delegation accordingly. 
MOORE