VZCZCXRO4323
RR RUEHLMC
DE RUEHMU #0680 1482041
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 272041Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY MANAGUA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2668
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP WASHDC

UNCLAS MANAGUA 000680 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE PASS USTR AND USAID 
STATE FOR EEB/TPP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON EAGR ETRD TBIO PGOV NU
SUBJECT: NICARAGUA: REACTION TO PRESIDENT'S FOOD SECURITY 
INITIATIVE 
 
REFS: A) MANAGUA 664, B) STATE 52628, C) STATE 39410 
 
¶1.  Post delivered Ref B demarche on the President's food security 
initiatives to senior and working level GON officials.  On May 22, 
Ambassador Trivelli briefed Foreign Minister Samuel Santos on the 
President's $770 million response to the food crisis, and explained 
our goals in the Doha Development Round.  The Ambassador also 
expressed our interest in seeing Nicaragua continue to avoid 
implementing export restrictions and embrace biotechnology. 
Minister Santos expressed general agreement with our points, but did 
not elaborate. 
 
¶2.  On May 22, Emboffs briefed Ministry of Trade, Development, and 
Industry Director General for International Trade Sonia Somarriba 
and Acting President of the National Commission for GMO Risk 
Analysis Javier Slaquit on Ref B points and have requested meetings 
with Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock officials.  USAID and 
USDA, through the Special Donors Group on Food Security, are also 
working with the GON to coordinate food security assistance.  Post 
will continue to seek opportunities to deliver Ref A points during 
the next several weeks and will report any substantive responses. 
 
TRIVELLI