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Nicaragua's Bolaños asks for OAS referendum

Washington / AFP
07/15/2005

Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolaños said Thursday he had been hijacked by a "legislative dictatorship" that has control of almost all of Nicaragua's state powers, urging the OAS to stage a referendum over reforms pushed forward by his opponents in Congress.

Bolaños, 78, at a meeting of the Organization of American States' permanent council said he would be open to dialogue with opposition Sandinista party and Liberal Constitutionalist Party legislators who now control Nicaragua's Congress.
He said, however, that he was the victim of "political persecution" that wants his mandate to end before it expires in November 2006.

"This is all because of the tough fight against corruption," he said.
According to Bolaños, a referendum is needed to bring the crisis to an end, "so that it can be the people who decide their own destiny," and give their opinion on constitutional reforms made by lawmakers.

The OAS should promote dialogue to facilitate a referendum and then should supervise the process and elections in 2006.
Bolaños charged that even the Supreme Court has lost its independence and now answers to the opposition.

Nicaragua's opposition, meanwhile, is seeking the lifting of Bolaños' immunity so that he can face charges linked to his conduct during the 2001 election.
"The future of democracy in Nicaragua is at risk, with implications for the rest of the region," said Bolaños in a news conference.

But he added: "You will never see me resign. They say I'm stubborn, thank God." US ambassador to the OAS, John Maisto told Bolaños: "My delegation wants to commend you, Mr. President.

"The United States shares your conviction that a threat to democracy in one state is a threat to democracy in all the hemisphere it truly must be a broad dialogue and it must be inclusive."

An OAS mission led by Argentine foreign minister Dante Caputo is currently in Managua. The OAS has sent four missions to Nicaragua in the last two years.