Government of Reconciliation and National Unity
Unida Nicaragua Triunfa
Remarks by the Representative of Nicaragua to the OAS, Compañero Luis Alvarado
and Minister Adviser to the President for International and Caribbean Policies, Cro. Valdrack Jaentschke
Friday, April 26, 2019
Thank you very much Mr. President.
Brothers and Sisters Members of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States:
Mr. President of the Council,
Mr. Secretary General:
The Delegation of the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity to the Organization of American States, once again reiterates the unwavering commitment of the State and Government of Nicaragua to continue making its best efforts to achieve Understanding, Peace and Harmony among the Nicaraguan Families, the purpose for which we continue, with the best of dispositions, to advance in the implementation of what has been Agreed as well as in the search for new Consensus.
On February 21, Comandante Daniel Ortega, The Constitutional President of Nicaragua, announced the Installation of the Negotiation Table for National Understanding and Peace, with the participation of the Delegation of the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity and the delegation of the Civic Alliance.
On February 27, the 1st session of the negotiation was celebrated with the presence of His Eminence Cardinal Leopoldo José Brenes Solórzano, Archbishop of Managua, President of the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua, and His Excellency Mons. Waldemar Stanislaw Sommertag, Apostolic Nuncio to Nicaragua for His Holiness Pope Francis.
Between February 27 and April 25, 2019, 21 sessions of the Negotiation Table were held at the INCAE campus and 6 at the Apostolic Nunciature in Managua. 1 session was held with the Specialist on Electoral Affairs of the Secretary General of the OAS, Cristóbal Fernández, on April 24, 2019. Additionally, 2 sessions were held with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). These 30 Negotiation Meetings were held with the presence of Monsignor Waldemar Stanislaw Sommertag, Representative in Nicaragua of His Holiness Pope Francis and Mr. Luis Ángel Rosadilla, Special Envoy of the Secretary General of the OAS, in their capacity as Witnesses and International Companions. These Meetings represent 30 Opportunities in which important Consensus and Agreements have been reached.
The Delegation of the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity at the Negotiation Table has advanced, agreed, and signed the following:
1) Negotiation Roadmap, which establishes consensus in decision-making, periodicity of meetings and confidentiality of the negotiations, among other aspects.
2) Agenda that establishes the topics to be discussed at the Negotiation Table in the search for Consensus Agreements, to promote the Coexistence, Harmony and Wellbeing of the Nicaraguan People.
3) Agreement to Strengthen the Citizen Rights and Guarantees agreed upon and signed by the parties and by the Witnesses, Companions and International Guarantors, the Apostolic Nuncio, Mons. Waldemar Stanislaw Sommertag, Representative in Nicaragua of His Holiness Pope Francis and Mr. Luis Ángel Rosadilla, Representative of the Secretary General of the Organization of American States.
4) Agreement on the releasing of persons detained with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), that has reconciled the lists submitted by the ACJD, which included the list of the IACHR, and that of the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity. Of these, 236 persons have been released to date and 232 persons are awaiting release, according to the reconciled figures.
At the beginning of the negotiation, the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity, in a gesture of goodwill, made the decision, in the Framework of the Constitution and the Law, to release the persons detained within a maximum period of 90 days, starting on March 20, 2019.
5) On April 10th the Delegation of the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity presented to the Representation of the Counterpart in the Negotiation Table (ACJD), the proposed Agreement on the Return of Nicaraguans from Abroad, who have left the country in the context of the violent events that occurred as of April 18, 2018. This proposal was not accepted by the other Delegation, therefore the Government of Nicaragua, committed to the unity and reunion of Nicaraguan families, approved on April 15 the Return Program that is in the process of implementation, for which, we have formally requested the support and cooperation of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
6) Agreements on the agenda items that remain pending consensus at the Negotiation Table:
• Truth, Justice, Reparation and Non-Repetition.
The GRUN Delegation presented a proposal on this agenda item to the Negotiation Table on April 2, 2019, which did not receive the consensus of the Counterpart Representation at the Negotiation Table (ACJD), so it is still pending negotiation.
• Regarding the agenda item on the call to the International Community to suspend sanctions, the Delegation of the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity, presented on April 2, 2019 at the Negotiation Table, a proposal to manage cooperation and support of the International Community in the implementation of all Agreements and for the suspension of sanctions that affect the Right to Human, Economic and Social Development of Nicaragua. The Counterpart in the Negotiation Table has not accepted this Proposal.
• On the Agenda item related to the Mechanisms for the implementation of the Agreements, the Negotiation Table will continue its mandate, following up on the compliance of the Agreements.
• Regarding the Agenda item on review, approval and signing of the Final Protocol, at the end of the negotiations, all agreements agreed upon and communicated will be compiled in a General Final Agreement, which must be reviewed and approved by both Parties, as agreed in the Road Map of the Negotiation Table, signed on March 5, 2019.
7) Regarding the agenda item referring to Strengthening Democracy and Implementation of Electoral Reforms for Electoral Processes, on February 28, 2017 the Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Secretary General of the Organization of American States and the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity, with the objective of promoting and accompanying efforts aimed at the political-electoral-institutional strengthening of the Republic of Nicaragua, which was interrupted by the violent events that took place on April 18, 2018.
On March 26, 2019, the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity requested that the SG OAS resume the Memorandum of Understanding and on March 27, 2019 the OAS Secretary General agreed to resume with the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity the work related to the Project of Reforms and Strengthening of the Electoral Process.
The Government of Nicaragua has resumed, since the aforementioned date, this Memorandum in order to give continuity to the process that was interrupted by last years´ events; To this end, on April 24, 2019, an Information Exchange was held between the International Expert on Electoral Matters of the OAS, Mr. Cristóbal Fernández, Chief of the Electoral Technical Cooperation Section of the DECO, the Witnesses and Companions at the Negotiation Table, in which the Procedures established in the Memorandum of Understanding for the Institutional-Political-Electoral Strengthening of the Republic of Nicaragua were presented.
Mr. Cristóbal Fernández reported on the objectives of the Program aimed at strengthening of the Electoral Processes, which is being conducted in three areas: 1. Proposal for Electoral Reforms; 2. Technical Support to the Supreme Electoral Council; 3. Implementation of Technical Recommendations to the Supreme Electoral Council.
8) The Delegation of the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity has made a call to avoid inciting violence or violation of the Constitution and laws, respecting the Will of the Nicaraguan People who call for Peace, Security, Work and Stability.
The Government of Nicaragua is grateful and assumes the message of His Holiness Pope Francis on Sunday, April 21, 2019: "May the Risen Lord illuminate the efforts that are being made in Nicaragua to find a peaceful and negotiated solution as soon as possible for all Nicaraguans."
The Delegation of the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity, has Responsibly attended the Scheduled Sessions of the Negotiation Table, complying with the Agreed Upon and Signed Roadmap. On the other hand, the Other Delegation has not made itself present without justification in 10 sessions, including that of Tuesday, April 23, 2019, convened by the International Witnesses and Companions, Monsignor Waldemar Stanislaw Sommertag, Representative in Nicaragua of His Holiness Pope Francis and Mr. Luis Ángel Rosadilla, Special Envoy of the Secretary General of the OAS.
The Government of Reconciliation and National Unity reaffirms its Political Will to reach Consensus and continue to comply with the Agreements that have already been made as well as move forward in the Conversations for new Agreements and Proposals for implementation, which strengthen Peace, Work, Stability and Reconciliation of the Nicaraguan Families. The Delegation of the Government of Nicaragua reaffirms its Willingness to Continue in the Negotiation Table, with a sense of responsibility, Good Faith and Decision to comply with the Agreed Upon Items and Commitments for the Good of the Nicaraguan People.