Nicaragua

Press, 5 August 1985, Page 12

Nicaragua

Sir,—lt seems that Third World revolutionaries can do nothing right in T. R. Loudon’s eyes. He now criticises the present nine-man governing council in Nicaragua for “not firing a shot in the 1979 revolution” as two of the nine were then, and remain dedicated Catholic priests and another two were imprisoned, his criticism is largely invalid. Despite the “communist” label T. R. Loudon .so glibly attaches to the popular, broadly-based Nicaraguan Government and despite United Statesinitiated trade embargoes, bombed airports, mined harbours, aborted loans, and guerrilla harassment, the achievements of the Sandinistas are truly impressive, and an inspiration to all the down-trodden of Central America.—Yours, etc.,

M. T. MOORE. August 1, 1985.

Sir,—l am in a dilemma; I don’t know what to think. Recently I watched a television documentary entitled “Nicaragua—No Pasaran” produced by Romin Films. This background programme concentrated on Tomas Borge, Minister of the Interior, and appeared most credible. Now you have reprinted an article (July 29) from the “Daily Telegraph” headed “Heirs of Nicaragua’s Revolution.” This gives an entirely opposite view. The most opposing feature is the portrait of Eden Pastora: black on television, white according to the “Telegraph.” Which does one believe? Can you in some way reconcile these two views of the Nicaraguan

revolution? I would be grateful for more explanatory and, perhaps, clarifying reports—Yours, etc., NENETTE GREEN, Picton, July 29, 1985. [Amid complicated and unfamiliar events, a definitive and comprehensive account is seldom possible within the limits of a single television programme or newspaper article. Reports about Nicaragua in' the Western media may tell as much about the preconceptions of the journalists concerned as they do about Nicaragua. Undoubtedly some people in Nicaragua have benefited from the political changes. Others have suffered or been killed. Whether, on balance, the result is good or bad will depend largely on the preconceptions which an outsider brings to the events there. Only an ideologue would maintain that there is a simple, single “truth” about Nicaragua. The “Daily Telegraph” article was one of many accounts of events there printed by “The Press” over the years. A very wide range of views has been presented. In the end, readers have to make up their own minds from the evidence available from many sources.—Editor.]