CENTRAL AMERICA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00552R000505390120-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 9, 2010
• Sequence Number: 120
• Publication Date: May 11, 1984
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/09: CIA-RDP90-00552R000505390120-8
ARTICLE A.PPPAM
:ON PAGE I
Central America
P RESIDENT Reagan, Democrats, and critics in his
own party are again, attempting an uneasy "bi-
partisanship" over Central America. .
Uniting them is a widespread conviction in Washing-
ton that the region is deserving of United States atten-
tion, for security, political, and cultural reasons. Also
uniting them is Washington's awareness that most
Americans do not see Central America as a compelling
issue. Only some 7 percent regard it as significant to their
decision on a national officeholder - way down the list
from economic issues like inflation, international ten-
sions like the arms race, and character qualities such as
leadership.
Notably, President Reagan in his major speech on the
region Wednesday night refrained from partisan attacks
on Congress, such has have regrettably embittered the
debate over Lebanon. He gave in effect a primer of his
views on the region: US national security is threatened.
Soviet subversion through Cuban and Nicaraguan surro-
gates is intent on destabilizing the region. Hundreds of
thousands of Hispanic refugees could surge across the
Rio Grande. El Salvador's apparent election of a moder
ate president and the contra "freedom fighters" in Nica-
ragua, bearing flags of democracy, need US support.
His one attack, on "new isolationists" in the United
States, was more a reference to his presidential oppo-
nents than an attack on his congressional critics.
Again, for good reason. He needs congressional votes.
He cannot call on the American public, as he could early
in his administration in his budget battles, to pressure
foot-dragging Democrats and wayward Republicans.
His opposition has its own primer on Central Amer-
ica. It includes much of what the President did not men-
tion: More development aid should replace the adminis-
tration's emphasis on military assistance. Human rights
should be affirmed. "death squad" activity condemned
and prosecuted. The mining of Nicaraguan waters has
discredited CIA involvement; further changes in covert
policy should be clearly explained to relevant congres-
sional committee members. Military aia cannot likely
"buy" a political victory in El Salvador. -
Discomfort with the bipartisan case for Central Amer-
ica can be read in the reactions of congressmen like Sen.
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
11 May 1984
Lloyd Bentsen. Bentsen, a, Texas conservative, agrees
with the President on aid, on the danger of a Marxist de-
stabilization of the region, and a domino-like collapse
that could send a surge of Latinos northward. Yet be
says: "My worry is that the administration at some point
will go for a totally military solution."
At some point, US pressure in El Salvador and Nica-
ragua must be converted into negotiation, Bentsen and
many others, Republican and Democrat alike, agr6e:-
At the moment, the President is going to the public, as
he should, to gain more leash for his Central America ini-
tiatives - and a wary Congress correctly is. letting out'
the spending leash inch by inch.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/09: CIA-RDP90-00552R000505390120-8