ACCESSION NUMBER:308639
FILE ID:TXT502
DATE:10/22/93
TITLE:WATSON ON NICARAGUA (10/22/93)
TEXT:*93102202.TXT
WATSON ON NICARAGUA
(VOA Editorial) (310)
(Following is an editorial, broadcast by the Voice of America October 22,
reflecting the views of the U.S. government.)
A principal goal of U.S. policy in Latin America is to strengthen
democratically elected governments and market-oriented economies. In
recent testimony before members of the U.S. Congress, Assistant Secretary
of State for Inter-American Affairs Alexander Watson said the United States
strongly supports efforts to achieve these goals in Nicaragua.
Nicaragua currently faces simultaneous political, military and economic
crises. The three main political forces in the country -- the government,
the Sandinista National Liberation Front, and the National Opposition Union
-- have become mutually antagonistic to the point of paralysis. The United
States believes that the most important decision the parties can make is to
1ursue a dialogue. Only national reconciliation can end Nicaragua's
political violence and polarization and bring about renewed economic growth
and development. The consequences of continued inflexibility will be more
civil unrest, violence, and economic chaos.
President Violeta Chamorro has faced a daunting array of problems since the
Nicaraguan people elected her in 1990 -- especially in her efforts to
assert civilian control over the military and intelligence services. The
United States believes that only when the rule of law and civilian
authority over the security forces are established can true national
reconciliation take place. The United States has urged the Nicaraguan
government to resolve outstanding human rights cases, which would reinforce
civilian control over the military.
Assistant Secretary of State Watson made it clear that there are limits on
what the United States can do to help. While the United States will
continue to support the strengthening of democratic institutions in
Nicaragua, ultimately only Nicaraguans can solve their country's problems.
As Assistant Secretary of State Watson said, Nicaraguans should seek a
national accord through dialogue and compromise.
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