Reagan offered troop let-out

Press, 29 June 1985, Page 10

Reagan offered troop let-out

NZPA-Reuter Washington

A divided and sometimes emotional United States House of Representatives approved yesterday a qualified ban on introducing American troops into Nicaragua as it completed action on a $U5292.6 billion ($623.23 billion) defence bill for 1986. The bill, adopted 278-106 after two weeks of work, moved the United States towards resumed chemical weapons production after a 16-year hiatus, radically curbed President Reagan’s MX nuclear missile programme, and imposed a freeze on anti-satellite weapons testing.

The 312-111 vote, approving the ban on United States combat troop deployment in Nicaragua came only after four hours of often highly charged debate and the adoption of several provi-

sions demanded by Reagan allies. These provisions waive the troop ban if there is “clear and present danger of hostile attack” to United States allies, as well as the United States itself, if Soviet MiG fighter planes or nuclear weapons are introduced into Nicaragua and to respond to hijacking or terrorist acts. They reflected anger over recent attacks against Americans, including the killing of four United States marines in El Salvador and the T.W.A. jet hijacking in Beirut, and a Republican concern that Democrats were trying to tie Mr Reagan’s hands. Despite the modifications, the Assistant Democratic Leader, Mr Thomas Foley (Washington), the amendment’s key sponsor, said the

proposal achieved its purpose. “It is a signal from Congress that we’d like to be consulted in the event of (U.S.) military action in Nicaragua,” he said. But some critics said that with the changes the House had endorsed a “road map” for military entanglement in Nicaragua. The Senate rejected a similar amendment on June 6. Mr Foley predicted that the troop ban would emerge from negotiations as a nonbinding expression of congressional intent. Only one proposed change failed. It would have waived the ban against U.S. troops if Mr Reagan determined that Nicaragua directly or indirectly supported terrorist or guerrilla activity against El Salvador, Costa Rica, or Honduras.

Since Mr Reagan has already accused Nicaragua of arming the Salvadorean rebels, Mr Foley and others said that the change would have been “an invitation to go to war against Nicaragua.” Henry Hyde, Rep., Illinois, a Reagan ally, said, “I don’t think anyone wants to involve the United States militarily in Nicaragua but I think the President should have the option.” Reflecting concern over an alleged Navy spy ring, the House also voted to reinstate the death penalty for military personnel found guilty of espionage and permit the establishment of a sweeping programme of polygraph tests for four million Pentagon employees. The defence bill reduced Mr Reagan’s Budget request

from SUS 322 billion ($685.86 billion), freezing military spending at 1985 levels. Despite the over-all reduction, the Democratic-led House voted SUS2.S billion ($5.32 billion) for Mr Reagan’s controversial “star wars” space-based missile defence system, nearly 80 per cent above the SUSI. 4 billion ($2.98 billion) voted for 1985. The Republican-led Senate approved $U52.97 billion ($6.32 billion) for the programme, also called the strategic defence initiative, when its $U5302.5 billion ($644.35 billion) defence bill passed on June 5. This research programme will be among a host of contested items Congressional negotiators must reconcile before a final bill is sent to Mr Reagan for his signature.