‘Making It Tough for Peace’
I read that Reagan opposes the Arias peace plan and intends to ask Congress for an added $270 million for the contras. He opposes the peace plan because it would allow continued Soviet or Cuban aid to Nicaragua and because he doesn’t trust the Sandinistas.
He disregards the fact that the Arias plan would also allow continued U.S. aid to Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Costa Rica. So the plan generally maintains the status quo. What else could we expect? Diplomacy doesn’t overthrow governments.
Nicaragua has had its revolution. And if its people aren’t enthusiastically pro-Sandinista, neither do they turn to the contras.
Since the Central American nations have the most to lose, and their presidents have already agreed to the Arias plan, why not let them take the lead in agreeing to peace? Or is it our policy that they can’t stop spilling each other’s blood until we say so?
JON POPIEL
Camarillo
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