NEXT STEPS IN NICARAGUA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84B00049R001800180002-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 18
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 11, 2008
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: June 9, 1982
• Content Type: MEMO

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SUBJECT: (Optional)
ROUTING AND RECORD SHEET
Duane R. Clarridge
Chief, Latin America Division
TO: (Officer designation, room number, and
building)
State Dept. review completed
FORM ~~ O USE PREVIOUS
I-79 EDITIONS
OFFICER'S
INITIALS
DATE
9 June 1982
COMMENTS (Number each comment to show from whom
to whom. Draw a line across column after each comment.)
Attached is a memorandum
just received from State
Department which outlines
the current status of our
negotiations with the Nica-
raguans, and Attachment C
to the memorandum is the
State Department's proposed
response to the Nicaraguans'
most recent communication
on our eight-point proposal.
I would suggest that you
only need to read the memo-
randum and Attachment C to
it.
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SECRET (entire text) (with NODIS attachment)
T0: The Secretary
FROM: ARA - Tom Ender
SUBJECT: Next Steps in Nicaragua
As expected, the latest (May 7) Nicaraguan response (Tab A)
to our Eight Point Peace Proposal (Tab B) contained nothing
new. Although the Sandinistas have picked up on our request
that they address each of the eight points, they have done so
in a polemical manner showing little, if any, interest in nego-
tiating seriously. In their response they have again denied
assisting the guerrillas in E1 Salvador and reiterated their
challenge that we provide them with the proof.
Enclosed at Tab C is a draft response to the Nicaraguans
designed to call their bluff without compromising intelligence
sources or agreeing to play on their terms. In summary, we
propose that the Nicaraguans close down the DRU headquarters
outside Managua (a map showing locations of DRU, FPL, ERP and
PRTC headquarters is at Tab D) as a demonstration of their
willingness to deal seriously on the issues. Anticipating
their denial that such facilities are in Nicaragua, we are also
offering our technical assistance in tracking down the
headquarters.
In receiving this r:bte the Sandinistas will have three
choices?
-- They can close down the headquarters. (least likely)
-- They can continue to deny their presence in Nicaragua
but refuse our offer to provide a technical team to help
track them down. (quite possible)
-- They can refuse to address the issue directly and try to
obfuscate by making counterproposals or avoiding the
issue. (most likely response)
In all cases we believe we have more to gain than to lose
by~taking this tack.
RECOMMENDATION ,
That you approve the attached cable to Managua conveying
our response to the Nicaraguans.
SECRET (with NODIS Attachment)
XDS-2 6/8/02
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SECRET
Attachments?
A. Nicaraguan Response of May 7
B. Eight Point Peace Proposal
C. Draft Response to the Nicaraguans
D. Map of Headquarters Locations
Drafted:ARA/CEN:LCJohnstone:mms~
ext. 24010 6/8/82
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DIVISION OF LANGUAGE SEFVICES
LS N0. 106259
LM/JF/RHC/BH/BP
Spanish
My government received with interest the eight-point proposal from
~_
your government saying that it is ready to begin serious discussions in order
to initiate a process of continuing dialogue with my government regarding
our desire for peace in Central America. The proposal was presented orally
by your ambassador in Managua on April 8, 1982.
We nevertheless consider that the proposal does not address those areas
of greatest concern to Nicaragua--rather it seems to be an attempt to avoid
the principal factors that, as a result of the unfriendly acts of the
Reagan administration, have led to a serious deterioration of our relations.
This presumption has been strengthened by the fact that, when the
proposal was reported to my government, no attempt was made to deliver even
a pro memoria to aid in understanding the United States position. From the
start an obvious contradiction has existed in your government's proposal. On
the one hand, it expressed its willingness to begin serious discussions, but,
on the other hand, it proposed only an exchange of views.
It is precisely because of this situation that on April 14 we informed
you of 13 points that, in our opinion, contain fair and reasonable proposals
which would truly enable us to discuss the substantive aspects of our relations
as well as aspects of your government's policy that have alienated Nicaragua.
For that same reason I requested this meeting with you in order to see if it
is possible for us to agree to begin a process of serious negotiations in
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a. f:!.~txi~:~:.v:~?`~k :74 .~fi Mai .bL.?-2-
which Mexico can offer us its hospitality and bear witness to the attempts by
both parties to reach an understanding.
I am confident that as I refer point by point to the United States
proposal with respect to our peace initiative and suggestions for negotiation,
you will respond--if you have any intention of doing so--as soon as possible
to our appeal to initiate serious negotiations and to conduct them at an
appropriate level in order to guarantee their viability.
Having stated the foregoing, I must first point out that your government's
insistence on accusing the Government of Nicaragua--without proof--of trafficking
in arms and providing material support to the insurgency in El Salvador--an
accusation that has now been extended to our alleged attempts to destablize
the governments of Honduras and Costa Rica--gives no indication of any interest
whatsoever in improving relations between our countries and dealing with the
true.substance of the Central American problem.
In this regard, allow me to point out an obvious fact. As long as
you unilaterally and arbitrarily expand the list of accusations, it becomes
increasingly difficult to believe that your government sincerely intends to
negotiate effectively.
Similarly, I consider it essential that in order for the negotiations to
be considered as such, they must take place within a framework of flexibility
and with no prerequisites. Indeed, they must, as we have been insisting, be
held with no preconditions regarding their subject matter.
I should like to remind you, moreover, that my government has on various
occasions requested the proof and the necessary information that would enable
it to fulfill more effectively its international obligations with respect to
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~ A i X71 ~'~} f. ;s? .2.
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the control of any alleged traffic. As you are well aware, we have never
received such proof or information from your government that could help to put
your concerns to rest. Also, we consider your government's lack of interest
in finding solutions to the problems of the Central American?region to be of
greater concern. In this regard, we consider extraordinary the accusation
that Nicaragua is engaging in some type of destabilization of the Honduran
and Costa Rican governments.
Once again, I must remind you that we have maintained excellent relations
with the government of President Carazo; we cannot say the same regarding your
government, at least judging by the unfriendly remarks by officials of your
government to officials of mine with respect to the president of that beautiful
country.
With respect to Honduras, a similar accusation is even more extraordinary,
since everyone is aware of my government's numerous peace initiatives with that
country in the search for a friendly understanding. This has all happened
while, as everyone knows, there are thousands of Somozan elements inside
Honduras that use our common borders to launch attacks which have claimed more
than 200 Nicaraguan civilian and military victims and resulted in considerable
property damage. What is more, these attacks have not been unrelated to the
coordination, assistance, and control activities of the Central Intelligence
Agency, as reported in the U.S. press.
It is therefore quite evident that if attempts are being made to destabilize
a Central American government, that government is Nicaragua, and such attempts
r;,
originate from outside the country, not from within.
On the second point, in which your government insists on its readiness to
issue statements referring to the existence of training camps of counterrevolu-
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tionary groups on United States territory in preparation for military action
against our country, our Deputy Foreign Minister informed Assistant Secretary
Enders, in a note of October 31, 1981 regarding that offer, that we consider it
inadequate; the most appropriate action by your government would be to dismantle
-~
the aforementioned encampments. Despite the fact that your offer is now
irrelevant, since the forces being trained in those locations have for the
most part been moved to Central America and deployed against our Revolution,
we still consider that should your government take the steps that it has
proposed, it would only be complying with the laws of its own country.
With reference to a joint declaration by our two governments on the
desirability of friendly relations, we feel that discussing a subject of this
nature would be meaningful if, in conjunction with a process of serious
negotiations, the United States rectifies and renounces what to date have been
acts of hostility towards my country. This would mean the suspension of
spy-plane flights, the presence [sic] of United States warships in our
territorial waters, the suspension of all covert operations, the discouragement
of hostile activities against my country by various governments, and the
lifting of the impediments to our financial transactions within those
international organizations of which the United States is a dominant member.
These actions and others in our 13 points presented on April 14 would be
indicative of the interest in maintaining friendly relations and provide a
genuine basis for a declaration by both countries along these lines.
I am certain that my government has no objections to issuing a joint
declaration that reaffirms our demonstrated support for the principles of
non-intervention, self-determination, and non-interference; nothing would be
more favorably received by Central America than for the United States to
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s ~ r*V .' a
make formal commitments and adopt a new conduct that breaks with its historical
patterns of intervention in our countries.
In relation to the fourth point, concerning the limitation of arms and
military forces in Central America, Nicaragua could exchange views and discuss
this subject with the countries of the region. Nonetheless, it considers
that the United States is not an appropriate choice, for obvious reasons,
unless you consider that our increased strength is a threat to your security
(and you are therefore expressing concerns about equilibrium with our armed
forces). Or perhaps, because of an outdated domineering attitude toward the
region, you seek thereby to control our acquisition of the means necessary
to our legitimate right to self defense as a sovereign state.
Accordingly, the fifth point referring to mechanisms for international
verification of the fulfillment of these commitments may be considered
feasible only if a consensus to that effect among the States of the region
is established by sovereign and independent agreements. Unless, I reemphasize,
the United States intends attitudes like the aforementioned ones to prevail.
In that case, the suggestion of turning to the OAS as the mechanism of
verification suffers from a severe credibility problem, at the very time
when your Government has just rejected the decision of the recent consultation
meeting of foreign ministers concerning the problem of the Falklands.
With reference to point six, apart from whether Nicaragua, as a poor
and ravaged country, needs economic resources to combat the backwardness,
underdevelopment, difficulties and privations our people suffer, it is my
opinion that bilateral economic cooperation issues should not be introduced
into these negotiations. Certainly we do not want serious political problems
to be overshadowed by economic cooperation offers, making it seem that
political interests could be negotiated for specific amounts of dollars.
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If the United States wishes to do something positive in connection with
Nicaragua's economic situation, it should stop impeding our regular financial
transactions with multilateral agencies by taking advantage of its dominant
position, and refrain from pressuring other countries to suspend their
bilateral cooperation with Nicaragua.
We do not consider it necessary to subject the proposal of a cultural
exchange, allegedly intended to increase mutual trust, to negotiations of
this kind. For our part, we have many students in the United States and
many delegations of all kinds visiting your country. In turn, there has never
been any objection to delegations of artists, musicians, cultural groups,
and sports teams coming to our country. Therefore, it is truly incomprehensible
that you would propose something that already exists and that Nicaragua has
never attempted, and would never attempt, to prevent or impede. In any case,
Nicaragua has no prejudices against the noble and generous people of the
United States.
We regard as an inexcusably interventionist approach to matters that
belong to our sole and exclusive jurisdiction the inclusion as point No. 8
of issues relating to our sovereign decisions and~in accordance with our right
of self-determination, tu' our conduct of our revolution in the economic and
social areas with total independence, as we deem most appropriate, as
well as to our equally sovereign decision to hold elections at a time already
announced on a number of occasions.
If your government sincerely intends to negotiate, allow me to repeat
our call for a cessation of big-power threats and stances. An honourable
nation like ours cannot accept an ultimatum like the one transmitted to us
by your ambassador in his latest ,official note, in which your government
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~~ ~~ ~ ~, r
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na/~ t ,
suggests...that Nicaragua has become a threat to peace in Central America and
that this is a situation which cannot and will not be tolerated.
I would repeat that the urgent problems in the region have come about
largely because of the development of a new policy by your government toward
Central America, an area where respect for our self-determination and sovereignty
must play an important role. In this sense, a negotiated political solution
to the Salvadoran conflict must be sought, as suggested by the proposal put
forth by France and Mexico, rather than a war of extermination stimulated.
We believe there must be constructive cooperation with Costa Rica so that that
country can overcome the economic crisis generated in all the Central American
economies by the deterioration in the terms of trade. The temptation to exert
onerous pressures that may work against the interests of that country and
against stability in Central America must be rejected. We also believe it
would be suitable to contribute to better bilateral understanding between
Honduras and Nicaragua and to help eliminate the Somoza groups operating there,
rather than stimulate border conflicts and unfounded fears of Nicaragua in
Honduras. It is necessary strictly to observe the Torrijos-Carter treaties,
to contribute to truly democratic change where human rights are respected in
Guatemala, and to strengthen the independence and full exercise of sovereignty
in Belize in order for there to be peace in Central America.
These are the expectations and hopes of the Central American people which
are not being realized because of the mistaken policy of your government in
the area. This policy has set out to make the crisis in the region part of
the East-West conflict, when the truth is that there are .20 million people
in Central American who are hungry and poor and who want to work in peace for
the development of our countries.
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In conclusion, my government repeats its willingness to begin negotiations
promptly, without stridency, without threats, and without prior conditions, as
suggested by the proposal of President Jose Lopez Portillo. In this framework,
we have no objection to discussing the points transmitted orally to our Ministry
of.Foreign Affairs by Ambassador Quainton, or other points that the United
States Government deems appropriate. We invite you once again to set a date
to begin the meetings and to let us know who your negotiators will be so
that we may name ours.
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PAGE 81 OF 82 STATE 893251
ORIGIN SS-25
DRAFTED BY ARA/CEN:ICJOHNSTONF:Mns
APPROVED BY ARA:TOEItDERS
NSC:RFONiAINE
OOD:PGORMAN
G/S-0: DASauDEERG
CIA:DCLARRIOGE
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-"'-'-'--?-------810006 0801091 /13.62
8800232 APR 82 ZFF/
Fn SECSTATE vaSHDC
;0 AMFnBASSY nANAGUA NIACT InnFDIAT{
EXDIS, FOR THE AnBASSADOR FAOn ENDERS
.:. 0. 12085: GDS 1/1/88 (ENDERS, THOnAS 0.1
TAGS: PINS, PINT, NU
SUBJECT: EIGHT POINT PEACE PI AN
2. An6ASSA00R SHOULD REQUEST APPOINTMENT AS SOON
.S PGSSIBIE VITH HIGHEST AVAILABLE LEVEL IN GRN TO
;!El1VER IAINING POINTS IN PARR 1 BEIOV. AMBASSADOR
';HOUID ASK FCR APPOINTMENT FOR SOnETInE APRIL 1 OR
:PRII 8 Ai THE LATEST. IF 'APPOINTMENT VITH SENIOR
^,EnBER OF THE DIRECTORATE IS NOT POSSIBLE BY APRIL B
4MBASSADOR SHCULD GO AHEAD AHD DELIVER TALKING POINTS
TO nFA. APPOINTMENT SHOULD NOT BE DELAYED BEYOND
~F'Rll 8.
?. CONCURRENTLY VITH AnBASSADOR'S PRESEHTAiIOH IN
~aNAGUa VE ulll BE BRIEFING A NUnBER OF AEGICNAL aI;D
UROPEAN GOVERNMENTS ON THE CONTENTS OF PR OPOSAI CON-
aINED IN 1AliciNG POINTS. VE Vlll ALSO BE 6ACKGROUNDING
HESS IN US ON APRIL 8. NICARAGUAN AMBASSADOR TO
ASNINGTON Vlll AI SO BE BRIEFED ON PROPOSAL AT SOnE
ATER flnE.
FOIIOVING ARE iAIKING POINTS EMBODYING SUBSTANCE
F EIGHT POINT PEACE PI AN.
- VE NAVE NOTED THE INITIATIVE UNDERTANFN BY nEXICO
D PROnOTE A DIALOGUE BETVEEN NICARAGUA ANO THE UNITED
TRiES. VE HAVE. NOTED NICARAGUAN STATEnENTS
tDiCATING A VIIIIN#NESS i0 ENTER INTO A DIALOGUE
N All OUTSTANDING ISSUES. FOR OU8 PART VE ARE PREPARED
0 [NGAGE IN SERIOUS DISCUSSIONS.
- 1 VOULO LIKE TO BEGIN BY AE-STATING VHhT MY GOVERNMENT
S naOE CLEAR IN THE PAST: THERE can DE Ito InPROVEnENT
t OUR RELATIONS UNTIL THE ARnB FlOV, TRAINIttG AND
IHER SUPPORT AC11V1T1[S f0R THE SALVADORAiI GUERRILLAS
EASE. IN ADOI7toN, THE FnIN~COnnAilD/CONTROL CENTER
tltN PRESENTLY OPERAT[S Ilt NICARAGUA nUST HALT ITS
`FRaT+orl. ACTIVITIES AInED Ai DESTABILIZING HONDURAS
.U COSTA Rita VOUID ALSO HAVE TO CEASE.
- VE REALIZE THAi THE ALLEGED ACTIVITIES OF NICARAGUAN
.DIES IN THE VNITEO SLATES IS A SOURCE OF LO!ICERN
':R YOUR 60'1ERLnENT. VE HAVE PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED
! VITH SOME IDEAS ON iNE HIND OF STAIEiIENI VE CO'JlD
TELEGRAM
2~
IN THIS REGARD. VE REITERATE OUR OFFER SO HAKE
SUCN.A DECLARATION VHICN VOUID CDItSTITUTE A VISIBLE
POIiTICAI COMMITMENT TO ADDRESS YOUR COIICERNS. IN
THIS DECLARATION, THE UNITED STATES VOUID IiST THE
APPLICABLE AEGUTATICNS AND PLEDGE ITSELF i0 COflBATTING
THE GROVTH OF INTERNATIOttAI TERRORISM.AiID THE EXPORi
OF VIOLENCE AND REITERATE CUR LOnMITMENT TO THE PRINCIPLES
OF THE UNITED NATIONS DECIARATIO;t ON.FRIENOLY RELATIOtts
-- TOUR GOVERNMENT NAS AI SO REPEATEDLY INDICATED ITS
CONCERN OVER THE PDSSIBIIITY Of A US INVASION OF NICAR-
AGUA. AS VE HAVE NOTED PREVIOUSLY VE VOULD BE VILIING
TO ISSUE, VITH YOU, A FCRnAL JOINT STATEIIEiIT COnnITTING
fiOTN COUNTRIES TO THE PRINCIPLE OF NON-INTERVENTION
AND NON-INTERFERENCE IN EACH OTHER'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS
AND IN THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF OTHER NA110115. THE
UItlTFO STATES AItD NICARAGUA kOULD REAFFIRM THEIR ADHER-
ENCE TO THE PRINCIPLES EMBODIED IN THE CHARTERS OF
THE UNITED NATIONS AttD ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES
AND TO TILE INTER?AMERICAN TREATY OF RECIPROCAL ASSIS-
TANCE. -
-- VE CCNCUR tN THE VIEVS OF MANY INCLUDING nEXICO
THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO PREVEttT AN ARMS RACE IH THE
REGION IF TENSION IS TO BE REDUCED AND PEACE RESTORED.
TO THIS END VE PROPOSE THAT THE NaTIOttS OF THE REGION
AGREE TO A PROHIBITION ON THE IflPORTATION OF HEAVT
OFFENSIVE VEAPONS AND AGREE TO nAINTgIN nILITARY iOACES
AT LEVEES COMMENSURAiE VITH THEIR SECURITY NEEDS.
IN ADDITION 4E PROPOSE TNAT THE NUnBER Of FOREIGN
TfIIITARY AND SECURITY ADVISORS 6E REDUCED TO REASONABLE
lOV LfYELS IN'EACH OF THE COUitTRIES OF THE REGION.
-- VE NAVE TAKEN NOTE OF THE PROPOSAL OF YOUR GOVERNnENT
FOR JOINT BORDER PATROLS AND THE HOtIDVP,AN PROPOSAL
CALLING FOR INTERItATIONAI OBSERVERS AT SENSITIVE AREAS.
VE PROPOSE THAi THE OAS OR ANY OTHER nUTUAIIY AGREEABLE
REGIONAL ORGANIZATION BE CALLED 011 TO PFOVIDE FULL
AND EFFECTIVE Ott-SITE VERIFICATION OF THESE AGREEMENTS
Ai PORTS, AIRPORTS, BORDER AREAS,?AND STRATEGIC SELiORS,
AS CUTlI1tE0 IN THE HOIIOURAN PROPOSAL.
-- IN THE CONTEXT OF AGREEMENT ON OTHER ELEMENTS OF'
iHIS OVERALL PRCPOSAL THE UNITED STATES IS PREPARED
TO DISCUSS VITH NICARAGUA ADDITIONAL TRADE CONCESSIONS
AND PRIVATE INVESTMENT VIIHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE CARIB-
BEAN BASIN INITIATIVE, AND TO PROPOSE TO THE CONGRESS
THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF DIRECT AID TO THE NICARAGUAN
GOVERNMENT.
-- THE UNITED SLATES VOULD ALSO DE PREPARED 10 EXCHANGE
ARTISTS, nUSIC1AilS, SP OATS AND CULiUAAL 4ROUPS VITH
NICARAGUA IN ORDER i0 InPROVE THE CLInATE OF OUR RELATIONS.
VE PROPOSE OPENING UP A NFV BINATIONAL CEIITER IN NICAR-
AGUA AND TO OFFER SCiiOIARSHIPS fOR NICARAGUANI STUDENTS
TO STUDY IN THE U. S. TNF UNITED STATES VOUID AI SO
eE VILIING TO CONSIDER REESTABLISHING A PEACE CORPS
PROGRAM IN NICARAGUA.
-- VE NAVE NOTED AIID VFILOMED THE RECENT FSLN PROPOSAL
PRESENIEO AT THE COPPPAL nEETING REITEAATIttG A COnMITMENT
TO THE P.RIiICIPIES OF POlIi1CAl PIUP,AIisn, A MIXED
ECONOMY ANO NON-ALIGNMENT. iNE InPIEMEHTAT1011 OF
THAT COnMIinENi AND OF THE EARLIER tOnnITMEIIT OF YOUR
GOVERNMENT TO THE OAS IN 1919 TO CAII THE COUiITRY'S
-FIRST FREE ELECTIONS- Vilt DE ESSENTial ELEnENis
IN PROVIDING THE POIITICAI CONTEXT FOR OUR FUTURE
RELATIONS.
SECRET
~~l~al-tnz~l~.t. of ~'~ate
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I ( I
ARA/CEN~LGUTIERREZ:MMS
EXT. 22205 6/8/82
THE SECRETARY
ARA:TOENDERS
PM:ARABASA
DOD/ISA:NSANCHEZ
CIA~DCLARRIDGE
IMMEDIATE MANAGUA
NODIS
FOR AMBASSADOR FROM THE SECRETARY
ARA/CEN~LCJOHNSTONE
DOD/JCS~PGORMAN
NSC~RFONTAINE
S/S-0~
E.O. 12065: XDS-2 6/8/02 {HAIG, ALEXANDER M.}
TAGS: PEPR, PINS, PINT, NU
SUBJECT: US RESPONSE TO GRN'S MAY ? REPLY
1- {S - ENTIRE TEXT}
2? YOU SHOULD SEEK AN APPOINTMENT AT HIGHEST LEVEL POS-
SIBLE TO DELIVER FOLLOWING RESPONSE TO GRN'S MAY 7 REPLY
TO OUR PROPOSALS.
3? BEGIN TEXT: I REFER TO YOUR COMMUNICATION OF MAY 7
WHICH RESPONDED IN A NEGATIVE MANNER TO OUR EIGHT POINT
PEACE. PLAN PRESENTED TO YOUR GOVERNMENT ON APRIL 8, 1982-
ALTHOUGH THE TONE AND CONTENT OF YOUR RESPONSE WAS UNHELP-
FUL AND NOT CONDUCIVE TO A USEFUL DIALOGUE, THE UNITED
STATES BELIEVES THAT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO
TRY TO ESTABLISH A DIALOGUE BETWEEN OUR TWO COUNTRIES.
ACCORDINGLY WE ARE RESPONDING TO YOUR MAY 7 COMMUNICATION
AND OFFERING SOME FURTHER IDEAS ON HOW WE MIGHT MOVE FROM
STERILE EXCHANGES TO DIRECT ACTION TO IMPROVE NICARAGUA'S
RELATIONS WITH THE US AND WITH NICARAGUA'S NEIGHBORS-
FIRST, TO REVIEW YOUR LATEST RESPONSE:
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SECRET S2
-- WE NOTE YOUR STATEMENT THAT NICARAGUA WOULD LIKE TO
FULFILL ITS INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS REGARDING NON-
INTERFERENCE IN THE AFFAIRS OF OTHER COUNTRIES. UNFOR-
TUNATELY, YOUR GOVERNMENT'S ACTIONS HAVE NOT MATCHED THAT
DECLARATION, AS DESTABLIZING ACTIONS FROM YOUR COUNTRY
DIRECTED AT YOUR NEIGHBORS HAVE NOT ABATED.
-- DESPITE THE FACT THAT YOU CONSIDER OUR OFFER TO MAKE A
POLITICAL STATEMENT REGARDING NICARAGUAN EXILE ACTIVITIES
IN THE US ^IRRELEVANT," THE UNITED STATES CONTINUES TO
STAND READY TO MAKE SUCH A STATEMENT SHOULD YOUR GOVERN-
MENT SEEK FURTHER ASSURANCES ON THIS MATTER.
-- WE NOTE THAT YOUR GOVERNMENT HAS NO OBJECTION TO ISSU-
ING A JOINT DECLARATION THAT REAFFIRMS THE GOVERNMENT OF
NICARAGUA'S SUPPORT FOR THE PRINCIPLES OF NON-INTERVEN-
TION, SELF-DETERMINATION, AND NON-INTERFERENCE. WE
SUBMITTED A DRAFT DECLARATION TO YOUR GOVERNMENT LAST
AUGUST, AND WOULD WELCOME PROPOSED LANGUAGE FROM YOUR
GOVERNMENT FOR SUCH A JOINT DECLARATION- SUCH A STATE-
MENT COULD BE ISSUED IN THE CONTEXT OF A RESOLUTION OF
THE OTHER ISSUES OUTSTANDING BETWEEN US-
-- WE HAVE ALSO NOTED YOiJR STATED WILLINGNESS TO EXCHANGE
VIEWS AND DISCUSS THE LIMITATION OF ARMS AND MILITARY
FORCES IN CENTRAL AMERICA WITH OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE
REGION. THE UNITED STATES WOULD ENCOURAGE SUCH A RE-
GIONAL DISCUSSION BETWEEN NICARAGUA AND ITS NEIGHBORS.
THE AGENDA AND PARTICIPATION FOR SUCH A DISCUSSION WOULD
HAVE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COUNTRIES WHICH PARTICIPATE
IN THE MEETING- HOWEVER, WE BELIEVE THAT TO BE EFFECTIVE
SUCH A DISCUSSION SHOULD LEAD TO AGREEMENTS ON THE PROHI-
BITION OF THE IMPORTATION OF HEAVY OFFENSIVE WEAPONS,
LIMITATIONS ON MILITARY FORCES COMMENSURATE WITH EACH
COUNTRY'S SECURITY NEEDS, AND REDUCTIONS IN FOREIGN MILI-
TARY AND SECURITY ADVISORS IN THE REGION.
-- WITH REGARD TO MECHANISMS FOR INTERNATIONAL VERIFICA-
TION FOR THE FULFILLMENT OF ANY ARMS LIMITATION AGREE-
MENTS, THE UNITED STATES BELIEVES THAT THIS SHOULD BE AN
ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF ANY REGIONAL DISCUSSION OF ARMS
LIMITATION. THE UNITED STATES FULLY SUPPORTS THE
HONDURAN PROPOSAL WHICH CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS
AT PORTS, AIRPORTS, BORDER AREAS AND STRATEGIC SECTORS.
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-- AS TO OUR OFFER. TO PROPOSE TO THE US CONGRESS THE
RESUMPTION OF ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO NICARAGUA AS WELL AS
THE INCLUSION OF NICARAGUA AS A RECIPIENT COUNTRY UNDER
THE CARIBBEAN BASIN INITIATIVE, THE GOVERNMENT OF THE
UNITED STATES IS WILLING TO RESPECT NICARAGUA'S WISH TO
SEPARATE THIS TOPIC FROM OUR CURRENT DISCUSSIONS- THE
GOVERNMENT OF NICARAGUA KNOWS VERY WELL THE CAUSES OF THE
SUSPENSION OF US ASSISTANCE TO NICARAGUA LAST APRIL, AND
IT FULLY UNDERSTANDS THAT ITS DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL
PERFORMANCE WILL BE THE MAJOR DETERMINING FACTOR IN ANY
DECISION TO RESUME US ASSISTANCE TO NICARAGUA. WE ARE
READY TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE FURTHER SHOULD YOUR GOVERN-
MENT WISH TO DO SO?
-- LIKEWISE, IF THE GOVERNMENT OF NICARAGUA DOES NOT
CONSIDER IT NECESSARY TO DISCUSS CULTURAL EXCHANGES
BETWEEN OUR TWO COUNTRIES, WE WILL RESPECT THAT WISH.
OUR PROPOSAL WOULD HAVE INCLUDED PROGRAMS WHICH DO NOT
ALREADY EXIST WHICH COULD MAKE A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION IN
YOUR COUNTRY, SUCH AS A PEACE CORPS PROGRAM, A BINATIONAL
CENTER,-AND OTHERS. WE BELIEVE THOSE PROPOSALS WOULD
HAVE RESPONDED POSITIVELY TO NICARAGUA'S CURRENT ECONOMIC
AND SOCIAL NEEDS. HOWEVER, WE ARE NOT INSISTENT THAT
THIS MATTER BE A SUBJECT OF NEGOTIATION BETWEEN US?
-- AS TO THE ISSUE OF PLURALISM IN YOUR COUNTRY, THE
UNITED STATES FEELS STRONGLY THAT NICARAGUA SHOULD ABIDE
BY ITS PROMISES TO THE OAS IN JUNE AND JULY OF 1979 AND
REITERATED AT THE COPPPAL MEETING LAST FEBRUARY, PROMISES
WHICH YOUR OWN GOVERNMENT HAS COMMITTED ITSELF TO FUL-
FILL- THE PRESENT POLITICAL CLIMATE IN CENTRAL AMERICA
MAKES THE FULFILLMENT OF THESE PROMISES IMPERATIVE.
WITH REGARD TO THE NICARAGUAN GOVERNMENT'S CONTINUED
INSISTENCE THAT HIGH-LEVEL NEGOTIATIONS BE CONDUCTED IN
MEXICO IN THE PRESENCE OF OBSERVERS FROM THAT COUNTRY,
THE UNITED STATES CONTINUES TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS
LITTLE POINT TO MOVING OUR ATTEMPTS TO ESTABLISH A DIA-
LOGUE TO A HIGHER LEVEL UNTIL THERE ARE SOME INDICATIONS
THAT YOU INTEND TO SERIOUSLY ADDRESS THE ISSUES. ONCE IT
IS CLEAR THERE IS A BASIS FOR PROGRESS, WE ARE PREPARED
TO CONSIDER HIGHER LEVEL MEETINGS WITHOUT PREJUDGING THE
QUESTION OF VENUE.
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FINALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO REFER TO THAT SECTION OF YOUR
MAY 27 RESPONSE WHICH REITERATES THE CLAIM BY YOUR
GOVERNMENT THAT YOU ARE PREPARED TO ACT ON ANY INFOR-
MATION WE CAN PROVIDE ON NICARAGUA'S ILLICIT SUPPORT FOR
GUERRILLAS AND TERRORISTS IN NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES. WE
REGARD THIS OFFER AS SPECIOUS SINCE THE GOVERNMENT OF
NICARAGUA MUST KNOW FULL WELL WHAT ASSISTANCE IT IS
PROVIDING THESE GROUPS. NEVERTHELESS, IN AN EFFORT TO
PROMOTE A SERIOUS DIALOGUE AND TO LAY THE BASIS FOR
MUTUAL CONFIDENCE BUILDING WE SUGGEST THE FOLLOWING
COURSE OF ACTION:
AS IS COMMONLY KNOWN, AND AS CAN BE EASILY VERIFIED
THROUGH WELL ESTABLISHED TECHNICAL PROCEDURES, THE
COMMAND AND CONTROL ELEMENTS OF THE SALVADORAN GUERRILLA
UNITED REVOLUTIONARY DIRECTORATE ARE LOCATED IN THE AREA
IMMEDIATELY NORTH OF MANAGUA. THE ACTIVITIES OF THESE
COMMAND AND CONTROL ELEMENTS ARE IN FLAGRANT VIOLATION OF
INTERNATIONAL LAW AND SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED BY THE
GOVERNMENT OF NICARAGUA. WE WOULD PROPOSE THAT THE
GOVERNMENT OF NICARAGUA~~MOVE. TO DENY THESE ELEMENTS PER-
MISSION TO CONTINUE OPEP;ATING FROM WITHIN NICARAGUA.
IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF NICARAGUA
HAS ANY DIFFICULTY IN LOCATING THESE ELEMENTS WE WOULD BE
PREPARED TO SEND A TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TEAM TO NICARAGUA
TO ASSIST THE GOVERNMENT OF NICARAGUA IN THIS EFFORT. WE
WOULD NOTE THAT THIS ACTION COULD BE TAKEN DISCREETLY AND
WITHOUT PUBLICITY, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT IT BE TAKEN
IMMEDIATELY.
WE WOULD VIEW SUCH AN ACTION BY THE GOVERNMENT OF NICAR-
AGUA AS A SERIOUS EXPRESSION OF ITS WILLINGNESS TO STOP
THE USE OF NICARAGUAN TERRITORY AS A BASE FOR SUBVERSION
IN NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES.
WE WOULD ALSO PROPOSE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THIS ACTION,
THAT A HIGH LEVEL MEETING TAKE PLACE BETWEEN OFFICIALS OF
THE US GOVERNMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT OF NICARAGUA TO DIS-
CUSS WHAT FURTHER STEPS MIGHT BE TAKEN TO ALLEVIATE
STRAINS IN OUR BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP AND TO REDUCE
VIOLENCE IN CENTRAL AMERICA. WE WOULD HOPE THAT SUCH A
MEETING COULD ESTABLISH AN AGENDA FOR ADDRESSING, AT A
TECHNICAL LEVEL, ALL THE AREAS OF CONCERN WHICH HAVE BEEN
EXPRESSED BY BOTH NATIONS IN OUR RECENT EXCHANGE OF
COMMUNICATIONS. END TEXT.
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4. FOR AMBASSADOR: IN PRESENTING US RESPONSE AND
PROPOSAL YOU SHOULD INFORM YOUR GRN INTERLOCUTOR THAT WE
APPRECIATE THE SENSITIVITY OF THIS PROPOSAL TO THE
GOVERNMENT OF NICARAGUA AND THAT UNTIL WE HAVE SEEN THE
NICARAGUAN RESPONSE WE WILL LIMIT OUR PUBLIC STATEMENTS
ON THE MATTER TO THE ASSERTION THAT "WE HAVE ANSWERED THE
LATEST GRN COMMUNICATION AND OFFERED SOME SUGGESTIONS ON
HOW THE DIALOGUE SHOULD PROCEED."
IF YOU ARE ASKED BY GRN WHETHER US OFFER MEANS THAT U.S.
WILL NOT ENGAGE IN HIGH LEVEL DISCUSSIONS UNTIL GRN HAS
CLOSED DOWN DRU COMMAND AND CONTROL HEADQUARTERS, YOU MAY
SAY THAT WE DO NOT INSIST ON ANY PRECONDITIONS FOR A
CONTINUATION OF THE EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH A DIALOGUE
BETWEEN THE U.S. AND NICARAGUA. IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY
EVIDENCE THAT NICARAGUA INTENDS TO DEAL SERIOUSLY WITH
THE ISSUES, WE SEE NO PURPOSE IN RAISING OUR COMMUNI-
CATIONS TO A HIGHER LEVEL. IF, HOWEVER, THERE IS SOME
EVIDENCE THAT NICARAGUA IS SERIOUS IN ITS PROFESSED WILL-
INGNESS TO TERMINATE ITS SUPPORT FOR THE GUERRILLAS IN EL
SALVADOR WE ARE PREPARED TO MOVE IMMEDIATELY TO HIGHER
LEVEL EXCHANGES TO PUSH AHEAD WITH THE PROCESS OF
RESTORING PEACE TO CENTRAL AMERICA.
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