NEW CIVIL WAR ABOUT TO START IN NICARAGUA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00965R000100140095-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 3, 2012
• Sequence Number: 95
• Publication Date: March 23, 1983
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Si Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/03: CIA-RDP90-
WASHINGTON POST
23 MARCH 1983
.New Civil War
About to Start
In Nicaragua
Another civil war is about to ex-
plode in Nicaragua, less than four
years after Sandinista guerrillas
overthrew the U.S.-backed dictator,
Anastasio Somoza.
Thousands of - well-armed and
trained anti-Sandinista rebels have
infiltrated northern Nicaragua, and
their leaders-say they are ready to
launch an offensive against the Ma-
nagua regime. They say they believe
their chances of success are excel-
lent.
Coordinated with this military
action, exile leaders of the Ni-
caraguan Democratic Force (FDN)
plan a diplomatic move designed to
give their + %.ise international cred-
ibility.
They intend to create a state
within a state-a "Free Nicaragua"-
in the area that comes under their
control.
By moving into Nicaragua from
their sanctuaries in neighboring
Honduras, the FDN units have al-
ready discarded the image of a futile
exile movement.
Setting up a rival government
within Nicaragua's borders would be
the next step in the FDN's quest for
recognition.
My associate Jon Lee Anderson
interviewed FDN leaders in Wash-
ington and Miami. They emphasized
what they feel are crucial points
about their movement-
* Though the core of the FDN's
fighting strength is made up of for-
mer members of Somoza's defeated
National Guard, people from all
sides of the political spectrum have
joined up. Their common -bond is
opposition to the Sandinistas' Marx-
ist regime.
? Unlike the Sandinistas, FDN
leaders insist they will hold com-
pletely free elections within 18
months and that even leftist parties
will be allowed to take part.
? The FDN guerrillas say they
have no connection with the much-
publicized joint exercises held across
the border by the U.S. Special
Forces and the Honduran army. "We
don't have any gringo trainers," an
exile leader stressed. "We are all Ni-
caraguan fighters, fighting inside
Nicaragua."
Despite this claim of inde en-
dence, intelligence sources say the
Rea an administration is unques-
tionably giving at least tacit support
to the FDN movement.
The reason or t is is the admin-
istration's belief that Nicaragua is
the key to Central America's future.
In a sort of reverse domino theory,
U.S. planners figure that an ouster
of the Sandinistas from Nicaragua,.
would cause the collapse of the left- '
ist guerrillas in El Salvador and
Guatemala. . ` -
The reasoning behind this theory
is that once the Sandinistas are no
longer in power there will remain no
direct airlift route for the Cubans to
send arms and -advisers to a safe
haven on the mainland, from which
they can be transported easily. to
leftist guerrillas throughout Central
America.
FDN leaders claim to have wide
support in their northern Ni-
caraguan bridgeheads and to have
recruited not only many peasants,
but also disenchanted Sandinista
militiamen. They say that for
months they have been carrying out
reconnaissance and infiltration raids-
deep into the country's interior.
The FDN claims to have about
6,000 fighters in its various encamp-
ments. It needs and expects support
of city dwellers, mainly those who
helped the Sandinistas overthrow
Somoza, but hid their weapons in-;
stead of turning them in "just in
case." The FDN also may get help
from Miskito Indian guerrillas.
Footnote: A former Sandinista
diplomat says Cuba's Fidel Castro
may try airlifting troops to Nicara-
gua if his Sandinista clients are
threatened seriously. In this case, it
would behoove the United States to'
impose a blockade on Nicaragua, he
said.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/03: CIA-RDP90-00965R000100140095-5