Jeb Bush wrote a letter that could be understood as a threat against Nicaraguans if they vote impoerly in the upcoming elections (the country must still remember the devestation inflicted on 'soft targets' (civilians) by the contras in the 80s).

NGOs are good sources of alternative news and information from poorer nations from around the world, and an NGO nurse responded to Bush's letter on the election. The text of her response is reproduced below:

http://seattle.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=8600&group=webcast

November 1,2001

Dear Governor Jeb Bush:

I am shocked and saddened by the letter you recently sent to the Nicaraguan newspaper La Prensa. Your comments and those of Mr. Lino Gutierrez and Ambassador Oliver Garza are blatant intervention in Nicaraguan politics. It is ironic that last year, the Nicaraguan government accused me of meddling in Nicaraguan politics and attempted to illegally deport me and closed our health clinic. That accusation and many others were disproved and I was vindicated in the Nicaraguan courts.

I am a US citizen and a nurse from Santa Cruz, California. For the last 11 years I have lived and worked in Mulukuku, a poor community in the North Atlantic Autonomous Region of Nicaragua, providing health services to poor peasants. The people in the region of Mulukuku, like all poor communities in the country, have been virtually abandoned by the Nicaraguan government in the area of health care. The few government health services that do exist are pitifully inadequate to meet the need. Neoliberal economic policies totally exclude the poor from health, education, and other social services.

Poverty, lack of land, and a 70% unemployment rate have led to hunger, violence, and despair.. Since 1990, I have witnessed increasing malnutrition in the people, especially children.

Malnutrition has progressed to starvation and death. My arms have held many of these children as they died. Your letter supports the same policies that have led to the complete abandonment of the poor in Nicaragua and manifests the most cynical and hateful attitude toward them.

Millions of United States citizens, many of whom live in Florida, respect and love the Nicaraguan people, uphold their right to sovereignty, and with me, denounce your arrogant intervention.

Many of us realize that the United States government is taking advantage of the tragic events of September 11 to strike out at people whom the US government perceives as enemies. Your intervention in Nicaraguan politics is an example.

It is clear that your letter reflects the position of the United States government. You have abused your position of power and privilege in this attempt to influence the Nicaraguan election, just as U.S. policies have contributed so directly to the misery in Nicaragua. I pray that the people of Nicaragua will reject this letter and the policies it represents and choose for themselves.

Position and privilege have made the United States a bully in the eyes of many of the world's poor. I invite you to step away from your privilege, if you can, for just a moment to see the world through the eyes of the poorest Nicaraguan.

Dorothy Granada
d_granada@hotmail.com

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Governor Jeb Bush
E-mail: fl_governor@myflorida.com
Fax: 850-487-0801
Tel: 850-488-4441

Senator Bill Nelson
Fax: 850-942-8450
Tel: 850-942-8415< BR>