NICARAGUA (MINING)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00552R000303180001-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 23, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: May 5, 1984
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/23: CIA-RDP90-00552R000303180001-7 STAT
REUTERS
5 May 19 84
CENTRAL AMERICAN
WASHINGTON
Sen. Edward Kennedy today said there was a "credibility gap" between what
the Reagan administration says U.S. military forces are doing in Central America
and what seems to be happening ?there.
The Massachusetts Democrat, in a new attack on U.S. policy in the region,
accused the administration of violating the 1973 War Powers Act and the 1980
Arms Export Control Act "by systematically placing U.S. ships, planes and
personnel in harm's way."
Both acts limit a president's ability to deploy troops in overseas combat,
and the War Powers Act requires Congress have a role in making such a decision.
Kennedy, in a statement, said administration officials had given different
versions of th- role U.S. forces were playing in El Salvador and Honduras.
"There is a credibility gap that threatens to poison future debate on U.S.
policy in Central America," the senator said.
Kennedy released an exchange of letters between himself and Defence Secretary
Caspar Weinberger over U.S. activities in El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras,
Weinberger said U.S. military in El Salvador and Honduras "are only engaged
in training or excerises," adding "at no time have U.S. forces been authorized
to take part in or control of combat activities" within the conte;t of either
law.
Weinberger also said U.S. military in the two countries "have been given
specific orders to avoid situations which would lead to their accidental
involvement in hostilities or combat situations."
Kennedy noted U.S. Ambassador Thomas Pickering's acknowledgement that U.S.
military personnel in U.S. aircraft are providing intelligence for Salvadoran
ground combat forces.
He also said, "U.S. personnel have been ordered to operate closer than ever,
on land, on sea, to combat zones along the Nicaraguan and Salvadoran border."
Kennedy said recent disclosures the Central Intelligence Aoenc
dii recte L e mining of Nicaraguan harhnrs and last ;,ar'S attrk_n~_Port o{
Corinto oil facilities are further evidence the United States is headed for war
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/23: CIA-RDP90-00552R000303180001-7