CENTRAL AMERICA/U.S. AID

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88-01070R000201150012-8
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 10, 2008
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: April 9, 1984
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Approved For Release 2008/12/10: CIA-RDP88-01070R000201150012-8
PDl, IUUMILT INtWJ
9 April 1984
CENTRAL AMERICA BROKAW: Nicaragua went to the World Court in the
/U.S. AID Netherlands today, and it asked the court to order an end
to United States undercover operations in Nicaragua,
including the mining of that country's ports. The Reagan
administration has shown what some critics say is contempt
for the World Court. It says it won't accept the cou'rt's
rulings in Central America for at least two years. Marvin
Kalb tonight on what that means for U.S. policy.
KALB: Officials admit by this action the administration
has badly damaged its case on Capitol Hill and funding for
covert operations against Nicaragua, including the mining,
may now be cut off. On the House side, Speaker Tip
O'Neill... REP. THOMAS P. O'NEILL (D-Mass.): Up to this
point, I have contended that the Reagan administration's
secret war against Nicaragua has been morally
indefensible. Today it is clear that it's legally
indefensible as well. REP. PETER KOSTMAYER (D-Pa.):
Congress should immediately end all funding for his
illegal adventure in Nicaragua before the. mining of
harbors escalates into the deployment of American armed
forces.
KALB: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee, dominated
by Republicans, vibrated with unhappiness. SEN. CHARLES
PERCY (D-Ill.): I was just as surprised and shocked when
I read this report as all of us were. SEN. CHARLES MCC.
MATHIS (R-Md.): I hope that the administration will
reconsider this decision.
KALB: One authority on international law strongly
disapproved of the U.S. action. EDITH BROWN WEISS
(Georgetown University): Again, I think it makes a
mockery of our great emphasis that we've always placed on
the rule of law in the international arena.
KALB: The State Department explanation is that the U.S.
was merely trying to head off a long propaganda diversion
at. the World Court. And besides... JOHN HUGHES (State
Dept. Spokesman): There may well be classified data that
we don't wish to publicize.
KALB: Nicaragua's foreign minister, Miguel D'Escoto,
denounced the mining as well as the pre-emptive U.S. move
at the World Court. MIGUEL D'ESCOTO (Nicaraguan Foreign
Minister): This is something that is intolerable, that is
illegal, that is unjust.
KALB: The mining of Nicaragua's ports began early in
January, a move designed by the CIA to hurt the Nicaraguan
economy. Seven ships have been damaged in recent weeks,
including a Soviet tanker'and.a Japanese freighter..
Capitol Hill reaction has been so. stinging that officials
here are now saying the mining operation may have to be
called off. Marvin Kalb, NBC News, the State Department.
Approved For Release 2008/12/10: CIA-RDP88-01070R000201150012-8