NICARAGUA/ECONOMY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88-01070R000201150017-3
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 10, 2008
• Sequence Number: 17
• Publication Date: April 10, 1984
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Approved For Release 2008/12/10: CIA-RDP88-010708000201150017-3
10 April 1984
}NICARAGUA/ BROKAW: The mining did work. Nine ships, including
CONOMY Dutch, Soviet and Japanese vessels have been damaged in
the last two months, and it was damaging in other ways as
well. Mike Boettcher tells us hox from Managua tonight.
BOETTCHER: Explosive mines remained just below the
surface of Nicaragua's port of Corinto. Nicaraguan
" officials say that during the time freighters have been
risking being hit by mines in their harbors, their
country's economy, which was already unhealthy, became
even sicker. Just how sick can be seen at the local
grocery store. Aline formed in front of the meat
counter. The shoppers would get their ration of meat, but
they would have to wait to buy chicken. There was plenty
of Bulgarian china, but no toilet paper or toothpaste.
Bottles of beer filled the shelves, but there was no baby
formula. Shopping is frustrating in Nicaragua, but there
xere shortages before the harbors were mined, Every
since the U.S. imposed economic boycott. One Nicaraguan
woman blames it on the economic policies of the Marxist
led Sandinista government. UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: The
people here has more poverty than before. We just worse
than Somosa now.
BOETTCHER: This woman went to eight pharmacies before she
could find the medicine she needed for her mother. One of
the druggists she visited called the mining operation and
President Reagan, inhumane. UNIDENTIFIED PHARMACIST:
...Inhumano.
BOETTCHEP,: Thirty three freighters were scheduled to dock
at Nicaraguan ports in March, 25 die. Eight others stayed
away at the height of the CIA supported mining operation.
Nicaraguan officials say those ships were bringing
machinery, powdered milk and spare parts. Exports that
could have brought badly needed dollars to Nicaragua's
economy, piled up on the docks because the ships to haul
it never arrived. The mines didn't shut down Nicaragua's
ports, but they were the most publicized part of the
CIA-sponsored anti-government rebels campaign to isolate
Nicargua's economy. Mike Boettcher, NBC News, Manaugua,
Nicaragua.
Approved For Release 2008/12/10: CIA-RDP88-010708000201150017-3