From tank!uwvax!uwm.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!aplcen!ginosko!uunet!philmtl!philabs!ccnysci!decwrl!labrea.stanford.edu!cdp!ni!criesdif@mtxinu.COM Tue Sep 26 23:11:11 CDT 1989 Article 457 of misc.headlines.unitex: Path: tank!uwvax!uwm.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!aplcen!ginosko!uunet!philmtl!philabs!ccnysci!decwrl!labrea.stanford.edu!cdp!ni!criesdif@mtxinu.COM >From: decwrl!labrea.stanford.edu!cdp!ni!criesdif@mtxinu.COM Newsgroups: misc.headlines.unitex Subject: Nica: Hemisphere Initiatives Rpt. Message-ID: <3205@ccnysci.UUCP> Date: 25 Sep 89 11:41:48 GMT Sender: patth@ccnysci.UUCP Lines: 184 Approved: patth@sci.ccny.cuny.edu Posted: Mon Sep 25 07:41:48 1989 /* Written 3:47 pm Sep 23, 1989 by criesdif in ni:ni.centam-elect */ /* ---------- "Nica: Hemisphere Initiatives Rpt." ---------- */ The following is the executive summary and contents page of a 30-page report published by Hemisphere Initiatives in August 1989. Hemisphere Initiatives describes itself as: "...a non-profit organization created to promote: * genuine democracy in the countries of Central America * an end to conflicts in the region; and * sound and equitable investment and development." Copies of the report can be obtained by contacting: Hemisphere Initiatives Post Office Box 179 Boston, MA 02118-0179 telephone: (617)437-6220 FAX: (617)437-6268 ********************** EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Establishing the Ground Rules A Report on the Nicaraguan Electoral Process The first report prepared by Hemisphere Initiatives (HI) offers a comprehensive overview of the players, key procedural issues and preliminary prospects for free and fair elections in Nicaragua to be held on February 25, 1990. Publication of the report was facilitated by support from the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. The report is based primarily upon information gathered by two HI delegations to Nicaragua in June and July of 1989. The following points summarize the report's major conclusions. Overview * With the changes brought by the electoral reform process culminating in the August 1989 Political Agreement between the Nicaraguan government and opposition parties, the laws and procedures have been improved. They compare favorably with those of other Latin American nations and with prior Nicaraguan laws and procedures and clearly provide the legal and institutional framework for a fair election. * The Nicaraguan government demonstrated flexibility in responding to opposition demands and the suggestions of international organizations for improving the electoral process. This response provides an initial level of confidence that the government will fulfill its promise to hold fair elections. * The five-member CSE (Supreme Electoral Council) has the primary responsibility and authority to regulate the electoral process. The composition of the CSE, with two FSLN members, two opposition members and one independent, provides the distinct possibility for impartial implementation of the laws, procedures and agreements regulating the electoral process. Such impartial implementation is key to a free and fair election. The CSE must assure that there is a reasonably level playing field; that complaints are promptly investigated; that access to the media, the right to assemble, and freedom of political parties and candidates to bring their campaigns to all Nicaraguans are assured; that the registration process is honest; the vote secret, with pollwatchers not only from the FSLN, but also opposition parties or alliances; and that the vote count is above reproach. * There have been some instances of official harassment of the National Opposition Union (UNO), an alliance of 12 opposition parties [and two unregistered parties]. While organizing activities by the UNO are technically illegal under Nicaraguan law since the alliance is not legally registered [UNO registered itself in early September] and wle the parties themselves appear to be organizing without restraint or harassment, interference with the organizing efforts of UNO is regrettable. With the signing of the August Political Agreement and the commitment of the UNO parties to participate in the elections, it is hoped that this type of harassment will cease. * The U.S., particularly in light of the Political Agreement and the extraordinary monitoring role of the UN and OAS, should reconsider its position regarding the Nicaraguan elections. The U.S. should cease its attempts to discredit the process. There will be time enough for this type of response if the implementation of the laws and framework prove unfair. In addition, the U.S. should heed the call of the August Political Agreement and discontinue all covert aid to the opposition. The Players * Despite the advantages of incumbency, the political problems of the Sandinistas have mounted. The economy is worse, and among supporters and within the FSLN itself, criticism is widespread. Even with these problems, whether the result of the Contra war, Hurricane Joan, the U.S. embargo or Sandinista mismanagement, the FSLN remains the largest and best organized political party in Nicaragua, and there is credible evidence that it retains considerable popular support. * As of August, there are 20 legal opposition parties in Nicaragua. The UNO is a tenuous alliance of parties ranging from the far right to the far left. Given their history of fragmentation as well as their limited organizational base, the degree of unity and the numbers of candidates will be a key factor in determining the strength of the opposition. * With the signing of the Tela Agreement calling for the demobilization and voluntary reintegration or relocation of the contras, the role of the contras in the election is unclear. The contras are viewed negatively by the vast majority of the Nicaraguan population. In any event, as long as they remain outside the country, the contras can play no positive role in the upcoming elections. * The Bush administration appears to be pursuing a two- track policy of encouraging opposition unity while simultaneously challenging the credibility of the whole electoral process. While Congress has agreed to make $3.5 million available to support the opposition, the U.S. has thus far offered nothing to defray the estimated $25 million administrative costs of the election, except $1.5 million to the monitoring activities of the Organization of American States. Conclusions * Because democracy is not absolute, the report does not fix absolute criteria for judging the fairness of the Nicaraguan elections. No electoral system effectively insures a totally level playing field. For example, no election campaign provides candidates with exactly the same funds or the same advantages of incumbency. Outside observers need to take care not to impose criteria or standards that existing democratic countries do not satisfy. * Hemisphere Initiatives will continue to observe the electoral process, including implementation of the laws and procedures and conduct of the players. As of August, we approach this task with optimism that the process will be fair and serve the cause of democracy in Nicaragua, but also with the realization that many obstacles remain to be overcome and many pitfalls may arise as the process unfolds. ***************** CONTENTS OF THE REPORT Introduction Criteria for evaluating democratization in Nicaragua Background and context of the elections The legitimacy of the 1984 elections Negotiating changes in the elections The players The FSLN today The opposition The contras The US role in the elections Issues concerning the electoral process The fairness of procedures for adopting reforms Composition of the CSE and subordinate bodies Regulating political parties Campaign financing Registration and eligibility Use of State resources in political campaign Access to poll data Access to media Intimidation of opponents Outside interference in the electoral process Preliminary prospects for fair elections in Nicaragua Conclusions Endnotes Appendix A: Legal political parties in Nicaragua Appendix B: Outline of the electoral process Appendix C: Official electoral calendar Members of the June 1989 and July 1989 HI delegations ********************** --- Patt Haring | United Nations | FAX: 212-787-1726 patth@sci.ccny.cuny.edu | Information | BBS: 201-795-0733 patth@ccnysci.BITNET | Transfer Exchange | (3/12/24/9600 Baud) -=- Every child smiles in the same language. -=-