Nicaraguan Political Sectors Resume Dialogue
The initiative of National Sandinista Liberation Front (FSLN) leader Daniel Ortega to resume the tripartite dialogue next week gained strength among different political sectors in Nicaragua Friday.

The Liberal Constitutionalist Party (PLC), Nicaraguan Cardinal Miguel Obando, and Bravo, supervisor and guarantor of the dialogue, confirmed Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolaños had responded to Ortega´s request.

PLC had already expressed its willingness to discuss with the government any topic unconditionally, and accepted the participation of the Organization of American States (OAS) as a facilitator.

Ortega exhorted President Bolaños to avoid demagogy, and look for an alternative to solve the energy crisis Nicaragua is now facing.

President Bolaños has tried to blame FSLN, PLC and the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) for electricity rationing occurring in Nicaragua from 6am to 11pm.

Ortega requested Cardinal Miguel Obando to promote an emergency national dialogue for next Wednesday at the Catholic University of Nicaragua (UNICA).

He said he expected the attendance of a governmental delegation because Nicaragua demands an urgent solution to the energy crisis, and announced that FSLN was still taking steps with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to purchase oil and by-products at preferential prices.

Ortega admitted that political forces have an obligation to look for alternatives to buy fuel oil for generating plants at favourable prices, and if it is necessary to increase energy prices, the Executive should renegotiate its obligations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and subsidize the transnational Union FENOSA and generating plants.

Ortega is also opposed to increasing public transport prices because such a measure might cause a wave of protest by the population.

"This delicate situation should be solved by the government, so the people are not punished," he concluded.