Peace talks to start next week

Press, 23 January 1988, Page 6

Peace talks to start next week

I NZPA-Reuter ; San Jose,

Costa Rica

Nicaraguan j contra rebels and the'Sandinista Government [agreed to hold a first; round of face-to-face cease-fire talks in San Jose next Thursday aftej the rebels refused to start the talks yesterday. 1 A high-level Nicaraguan official who arrived unexpectedly (seeking to start the talks said a commission vtjould be set up to ensure the contras’ political rights. His Government wo*uld allow humanitarianjaid to the contras to resume once a cease-fire took effect, he said. j Adolfo Calero, one of six rebel leaders meeting in San Jose, told a news conference: “We want to meet without conditions, with an open mind on January 28, with the possibility of extending the talks until the 29th.”

The Nicaraguan Deputy Foreign Minister, Victor Hugo Tinoco, who led a Government delegation, agreed to the dates and sa|d he would return next week for the talks.

He also said Nicaragua wanted to set up an international commission, to ensure that the political rights and civil liberties of any contras who gave up their armed struggle would be respected under a. ceasefire.

Mr Tinoco said the commission would be made up of representatives from the United Nations, the United States Congress, the Organisation of American States, the Socialist International and other foreign organisations.

The Sandinistas also decided to allow humanitarian aid to the contras to resume once a ceasefire took effect, Mr Tinoco told a news conference. President Daniel Ortega had previously said he would not allow a single dollar more of aid, either humanitarian or military, to the contras. In Washington, in an apparent bid to win over a reluctant Congress, the White House said President Reagan would seek the least possible military aid for contra guerrillas.