Contra forces ‘hired killers’

Press, 17 October 1987, Page 9

Contra forces ‘hired killers’

Contra forces in Nicaragua were a “bunch of hired killers” fighting in a “Rolls-Royce-financed” but “utterly grubby” guerrilla war which had outraged the international community, said the member of Parliament for Sydenham, Mr Jim Anderton, last evening. Addressing more than 70 people attending a rally organised by the Latin America Solidarity Group, Mr Anderton took a strong line which decried United States’ intervention in Nicaragua.

“Even with a $lOO million grant from the United States Government last year this rag-tag bunch of hired killers masquerading as counterrevolutionaries has not gained an inch of ground or captured the imagination or support of the Nicaraguan people,” he said.

On the contrary, the atrocities they had committed had hardened domestic and inter-

national support for the Sandinista Government. But continued American support for the antiSandinista rebels had forced Nicaragua to devote more than half its budget to its defence forces and arms to be used against the contras, he said.

A historic peace plan with the potential for ending the “crippling” warfare had been signed by five Central American nations. Acceptance of the plan depended on the United States.

“So far, however, all appeals to President Reagan to approve the plan and at least give it a chance to work have failed.”

Mr Anderton accepted a petition which calls for New Zealand to bring pressure to bear on the United States Government to halt further aid to the contras.

He said his presence at the meeting reflected overwhelming caucus support for the Nicaraguan people.