“VIOLATION” OF NICARAGUA

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27563, 21 January 1955, Page 11

“VIOLATION” OF NICARAGUA

Costa Rican Planes Over Border

(Rec. 12.15 a.m.) NEW YORK, Jan. 20. President Anastasio Somoza, of Nicaragua, said last night that two ■Mustang fighter planes from Costa Rica had violated Nicaraguan territory yesterday by flying over the border. He recalled the resulting situation “very tense” and said it could become an “international crime.”

President Somoza ordered an immediate mobilisation of troops along the Nicaraguan border and placed his own airmen on a 24-hour alert. Reports from San Jose said two of the four Mustangs sold to Costa Rica by the United- States went into action against the Costa- Rican rebels yesterda president Somoza said the Nicaraguan commander at the border reported that two Mustangs had machinegunned La Cruz, in Costa Rica, and had then swung over the border and returned for another firing pass at La Cruz. ...... The Nicaraguan leader said the United States had put “dangerous toys in the hands of a crazy boy” by sending planes to President Jose Figueres, of Costa Rica. The planes were sent with the approval of the Organisation of American States. In San Jose, President Figueres said he would ask the Organisation of American States to apply sanctions against Nicaragua after “investigating the invasion of Costa Rica.’’ Mr Figueres *said he still expected considerable resistance before the rebels were driven out of the country, but added that he hoped for an end of the fighting “within three or four days because the defeat of the rebels is inevitable.”