'CMDR. ZERO' OUTLINES GOALS FOR NICARAGUA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00552R000504880068-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 15, 2010
• Sequence Number: 68
• Publication Date: December 3, 1983
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

-STAT Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/09/15: CIA-RDP90-00552R000504880068-4
1tiASIiINGTON POST
3 December 1983
`Cmdr. Zero'
Outlines Goals
For Nicaragua
Eden Pastore, the Nicaraguan
guerrilla leader, visited Washington
recently.. He stopped by my office
for a visit. Though it was the rust
time we had met, we knew of each
other.
I've reported the legendary ex-
ploits of the revolutionary "Com-
mander Zero" since the days when
he first took up arms against the
U.S.-backed dictatorship of Anasta-
sio Somoza. In 1978 and 1979 my
former associate Bob Sherman spent
some time with Pastore at his jungle
hideout. Not long afterward, Pastore
and his Sandinista fighters captured
the presidential palace in Managua.
Somoza had fled.
Now Pastore is fighting the San-
dinista regime he helped to bring to
power. Several months ago I sent my
roving reporter, Jon Lee Anderson,
to travel with Pastors in the Ni-
caraguan bush, where he commands
approximately 2,000 guerrillas.
The charismatic rebel leader was
in Washington soliciting support
from the Reagan administration for
his financially strapped troops. He
didn't have much luck.
The reason is simple: for all his
rugged charm and the glamor of his cialism than the Reagan administra-'
past adventures, Pastore is a polit- tion wants.
ical maverick the:-CIA doesn't trust. When we spoke the other day,
He is an outspoken revolutionary, Pastore told me his conditions for
the CIA suspects him of leaning too. joining ranks with the FDN: May
far to theleft. must get rid of all the ex-Naaanal
So Pastore has received only a Guardsmen. They -must also'-agree
token offering of CIA money and that what comes to Nicaragua after
guns, nothing like the support on. victory must be revolutionary as well.
joyed by the CIA's anti-Sandinista as democratic.".:
creation, the Nicaraguan Democratic It's that kind of tape-that- scares
Force (FDN). The CIA is trying to the Reagan administration, which'
coerce Pastors to join the FDN, has spread the -.rumor that Pastors
which he says he will never do as has a Castro connection. Though he
long as its, military leadership in- denies it, he does admit that:one.nf
cludes former officers of Somoza's his top aides has talked recently:to?
National Guard. the Cuban dictator. Pastora evident-
Instead of encouraging him, Pas- ly feels it's a good tactic to make the
tors said, the CIA is trying actively Reagan people worry about: his open-
to sabotage his efforts to raise funds. ing to Cuba's Fidel-Castro, a warning
"They are afraid I will eclipse their that he can get help elsewhere.:rf
Somocista army," Pastore said. "But W ' n turns him down. -
s they want me around to legitimize Ga esmanship: President the FDN, which has no popular ap- an ha few kind words to the
peal in Nicaragua." other about . the video amen
Pastore is right about the last that obsess y : Ameri young.*,
-point- the FDN's civilian leaders are stera. "Many oung, people . conservative businessmen and pol- veloped , in is hand .rye -and.
iticians, and its top'military officers brain .coordina in F these'
are almost all former National games," he told a of math and
Guard members. This taints the science students Au Force be-
whole group as far as most -Ni lievea these kids outstanding :
"?`
caraguans are concerned: pilots when they jets.
?Pastore's group, on the. other But the presi t tend to add
-hand, is led mainly by former San- that he didn't t kids telling
dinistas. Their quarrel with the Ma- their parents thong tit was okay
nagua junta is simply that ? it be- to play vii games the time.
trayed the revolution. They are anti- "Homework ports-and 'ends come `
communist, but they favor more so- first," he said.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/09/15: CIA-RDP90-00552R000504880068-4