NICARAGUA/FIGHTING

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88-01070R000201120004-0
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 21, 2008
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: March 16, 1984
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Approved For Release 2008/10/21 :CIA-RDP88-010708000201120004-0
ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGAT '
16 March 1981+
NICARAGUA/ JENNINGS: In Nicaragua, antigovernment forces have made a
FIGHTING surprise attack near the southern border with Costa Rica.
They opened fire on a group of Nicaraguans who resisted
being taken prisoner. They killed an eight-year-old boy..
Our Pentagon correspondent, John McWethy, reports that all
along Nicaragua's northern border, there is even more
fighting now taking place.
MCWETHY: U.S. intelligence analysts say the tension on
the border between Nicaragua and Honduras is now higher.
than it has been at any time since American troops arrived
in Honduras last summer. There have been scores of
incidents, shooting from both sides. Analysts say .the
growing tension and the possibility that it could lead to
broader conflict is a direct result of American pressure,
psychological pressure from U.S. military. exercises in
Honduras and real'military pressure from the CIA-backed
contra rebels who strike targets throughout Nicaragua.
The rebels, now some 12,000 to 15,000 strong, are based in
Honduras and in the last month have successfully attacked
Nicaragua, guerrilla style, by air, land and sea. They
have mined harbors, sinking a Nicaraguan coast guard boat.
They have bombed key radio transmitters and weapons
warehouses and have attacked civilian economic targets all
along the border. Reagan administration officials are
ecstatic about the CIA's successess and the damage done to
Nicaragua, but critics say the operation is simply
galvanizing opposition to the U.S. and driving Nicaragua
deeper into the Soviet camp. John McWethy, ABC News, the
Pentagon.
Approved For Release 2008/10/21 :CIA-RDP88-010708000201120004-0