Nicaragua will hold national elections in November of this year, to select a new National Assembly and President. The U.S. government is doing everything it can to ensure that Bush's choice, banker Eduardo Montealegre, wins the presidency, and to make sure that former president Daniel Ortega for the FSLN and Herty Lewites for the Movement to Rescue Sandinismo lose.

Over the last year the United States government has interfered continuously in Nicaragua’s affairs. One of the most recent and blatant actions was a letter from U.S. Ambassador Paul Trivelli to leaders of non-Sandinista parties, offering U.S. financial assistance for a primary if the parties would unite behind one candidate and against Ortega and Lewites.

Other actions include:

- Statements from ambassador Trivelli indicating dire consequences for Nicaragua should one of the Sandinista candidates win the elections;
- Constant manipulation of internal party processes in an effort to clear the field in favor of U.S. backed candidate Montealegre
- Interference in Nicaragua’s National Assembly to guarantee coalitions that support U.S. policy goals in the country, including passage of laws to implement the Central America Free Trade Agreement, and constitutional reforms related to executive powers.

Read more about U.S. intervention
www.nicanet.org/list_of_interventionist_statments.php.

We are asking you to join the Quest for Peace and Nicaragua Network in denouncing these actions in an open letter to the people of Nicaragua. This letter with signatures will be published June 23 in /El Nuevo Diario/ and /La Prensa/, the two main papers in Nicaragua. You can read the English translation of the letter below, the Spanish version follows.

We are asking for contributions to defray the costs of placing this letter. We are asking National Organizations to contribute $150, local organizations for $50-75 depending on their capacity, and individuals $25. Of course, additional contributions will be gratefully accepted! Contributions are tax exempt. You can sign the ad and make payment though secure site here:
quest.quixote.org/nicaraguan_elections_ad_signup

Or by mail, please send checks made out to "Quest for Peace," with “Nicaragua Ad” in memo line to:

Quixote Center/Quest for Peace
PO Box 5206
Hyattsville, MD 20782

Or Call Tom Ricker at the Quixote Center/Quest for Peace, 301-699-0042
THE LAST DAY TO SIGN THE AD IS JUNE 19
Open letter to the people of Nicaragua

As U.S. citizens we apologize for, and denounce the continuing interference in Nicaragua's election process by the U.S. government, including the State Department, the US Agency for International Development, and the National Endowment for Democracy. Led by Ambassador Paul Trivelli and his embassy staff in Managua, there has been a constant flow of threats to the people of Nicaragua based on who may win the November elections.

The United States should immediately stop all attempts to manipulate the electoral process through selective funding of candidates and political parties, verbal threats, or any other overt or covert means.

These actions do not reflect the will of the people of the United States and would be viewed as criminal and denounced in the strongest language if a government were to attempt the same during elections in the United States. It is not for us or for our government to indicate preferences or to interfere in Nicaragua's internal affairs. We will work in solidarity in the United States to support Nicaragua's sovereignty.

We know that you, the people of Nicaragua, conscious of your long struggle for independence, will vote your consciences and interests. It is your right to make this important choice free of intimidation.

In solidarity,
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[The statement as it will appear in the newspaper, in Spanish]

Carta Abierta al Pueblo Nicaragüense

Como ciudadanos de los Estados Unidos, denunciamos y pedimos disculpas por la intervención continua en el proceso electoral Nicaragüense por parte del gobierno de los Estados Unidos, incluyendo al Departamento de Estado, la Agencia para el Desarrollo Internacional y el Fondo Nacional para la Democracia. El Embajador Paul Trivelli y su equipo en la embajada en Managua, han lanzado una serie de amenazas al pueblo de Nicaragua basadas en quien pudiera ganar las elecciones de Noviembre.

El Gobierno de los Estados Unidos debe parar de inmediato todos sus esfuerzos por manipular el proceso electoral; a través del financiamiento selectivo de candidatos y partidos políticos, amenazas verbales y cualquier otro medio abierto o encubierto.

Estas acciones no reflejan la voluntad del pueblo de los Estados Unidos y serían consideradas acciones criminales y denunciadas en los términos más fuertes si un gobierno extranjero intentara lo mismo durante una campaña electoral en los Estados Unidos.

No es apropiado para nosotros ni para nuestro gobierno indicar preferencias ni interferir en los asuntos internos de Nicaragua. En los Estados Unidos trabajaremos en solidaridad con Nicaragua para apoyar su soberanía.

Concientes de la larga lucha del pueblo de Nicaragua por su independencia, tenemos confianza que ustedes votarán según su intereses y conciencia. Es su derecho ejercer esta importante decisión, libre de intimidación.

En solidaridad,
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