Reagan asks for more aid for contras

Press, 22 January 1988, Page 7

Reagan asks for more aid for contras

NZPA-Reuter Washington President Reagan and Nicaraguan opposition leaders yesterday both criticised Managua’s lifting of emergency rule, Mr Reagan saying it did not go far enough and the opposition calling it a smoke screen.

The Soviet Union, meanwhile, proposed that Moscow and Spain open dialogue to improve the chances for peace in Central America. Yesterday Nicaragua lifted emergency rule — which curbed most civil ; liberties — abolished special war courts and promised amnesty for 3300 political prisoners. The measures were . called for in a peace plan signed by the five Central American Presidents last August. In Managua yesterday, , however, the opposition said the arrest earlier of

12 opposition leaders showed the reforms were a “smoke screen” designed to manipulate world opinion. “If at the same time as announcing the lifting of the state of emergency they were arresting people, then there’s nothing left to be said,” said Roger Guevara Mena, a leader of a coalition of 14 opposition parties and business groups. The 12 were arrested — seven at the week-end and five early on Tuesday — after they met contra leaders in Guatemala last week. All were released

after questioning. In a speech calling on Congress to approve more contra aid next month, Mr Reagan said the partial amnesty and the arrests of the opposition leaders meant the Nicaraguan Government was far from compliance with the peace plan. “We must make sure that each time the Sandinistas walk through a new door toward democracy, we close it behind them and keep it closed,” he said. “Only the freedom fighters can do that. Only they can be our insurance

policy for democracy in Central America.” Mr Reagan said the Nicaraguan Government was brutal, corrupt and totalitarian and had been forced into the reforms only because of the military pressure from the contras. Referring to next month’s Congressional vote on contra aid, the President said: “This is the moment of truth, the make-or-break vote on the freedom fighters.” Mr Reagan did not say how much he would ask Congress to give the contras when he sends a

request next week. The vote on the issue is due on February 2 and 3. In Madrid, the Soviet Foreign Minister, Eduard Shevardnadze, proposed that Moscow and Madrid open dialogue on Central America, saying both countries were keenly affected by regional conflicts far from their territories. “We identify with and understand Spain’s preoccupation with the state of affairs... in Central America and are prepared to create a channel of consultations on this issue,” he said.