Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site ttrdc.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!bellcore!allegra!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!mgnetp!ltuxa!ttrdc!mjk
From: mjk@ttrdc.UUCP (Mike Kelly)
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: My article on Nicaragua
Message-ID: <167@ttrdc.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 3-May-85 17:04:13 EDT
Article-I.D.: ttrdc.167
Posted: Fri May  3 17:04:13 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 7-May-85 05:06:39 EDT
References: <160@ttrdc.UUCP>, <1414@bbncca.ARPA>
Organization: AT&T Teletype Corp., Skokie, IL
Lines: 62


 >From: rrizzo@bbncca.ARPA (Ron Rizzo)
 >
 >The Sandinists have said they wanted normalization of relations with
 >the US to foster trade and even economic aid, but that administration
 >support for the contras stood in the way of such normalization.  Last
 >Wednesday the US Congress voted down aid to the contras.  Yet Sunday,
 >a mere 4 days later, Ortega flew to Moscow to ask for aid.  

First, it is absurd to imply that only Administration support for the
contas stands in the way of normalization of relations.  What stands in
the way of normalization is the stated U.S. goal of "removing the Nicaraguan
government in its present form."  Let's hear Reagan renounce that
statement; then we can talk about normalization.  The Nicaraguans are
still willing to talk, though, even with that repugnant statement from
our President hanging in the air.  But the Administration insists they
talk with the contras;  as Ortega rightfully says, when someone sics a
dog on you, you don't talk to the dog, you talk to its owner.  It is obvious
to anyone who follows the news that it is the U.S. Administration that
has refused to negotiate.  

For those fans of unsubstantiated allegations (i.e. lies), rrizzo
offers the following:

 >As is longstanding Communist diplomatic practice,
 >nothing was said about military aid, though most observers are sure
 >this is included; the Sandinists have been shopping for fighter jets
 >for some time now.
 >
 >The Soviet navy will gain use of the Pacific port of Corinto ...
 >This seriously complicates, even compromises, the strategic security
 >of the US in its OWN hemisphere.  Bye bye, Monroe doctrine!
 >
 >Iran is shipping arms to Nicaragua via North Korea (shades of the
 >1930s: the nastiest regimes find common cause).
 >

First, phrases like "most observers" are designed to deceive.  *Which*
observers?  The U.S. embassy?  I don't doubt it.  Furthermore, given the
massive U.S. presence in Honduras -- including fighter jets -- I think that 
acquisition of such equipment by Nicaragua can easily be understood as
defensive.  For Chrissakes, there's a *war* going on.  It is understandable
that those who want the Sandinista's to lose don't want them to buy any
weapons.  But the best way to stop the regional weapons buildup is
to sign the Contadora agreement and get the U.S. troops *out* of Central
America, as well as all other foreign troops; the Nicaraguans have already
initialled the Contadora Agreement.  Why hasn't the U.S.?   

The Monroe Doctrine, morally bankrupt when it was initially declared over
a century ago, has long since expired.  If you remember, Ron, it said "You
stay on your side of the Atlantic, we'll stay on our side, and anyone can
go in the middle."  By the Monroe Doctrine, there would be no NATO.  

Furthermore, for your information, this is not "our" hemisphere.  We share
it with about fifty other countries.  The U.S. wouldn't put up with them
pushing us around, and there's no reason they should put up with the
opposite (despite the fact that they've had no choice given our over-
whelming military superiority.)   Now we know what happened to all the
bullies of our youths; they joined CIA, AID and the State Department.

Mike Kelly