Shultz Accuses Democrats of Meddling in Nicaragua : Calls Them Self-Styled Emmissaries

Secretary of State George P. Shultz, angered by what he called “undesirable and reprehensible” meddling in foreign policy, today attacked Democrats in Congress who he said have been acting as “self-appointed emissaries” to Nicaragua.

“That is what the President is supposed to do and he designates people to do that on his behalf,” Shultz said.

Shultz also charged that by refusing aid to the contras, even humanitarian aid, critics “are hastening the day when the threat will grow and when we will be faced with an agonizing choice about the use of American combat troops.

“That is not our policy, and I am sure that is not their intention,” he added in a speech to the American Bar Assn.

“Members of Congress have every right to travel to Nicaragua to review the situation, but we cannot have a successful policy when they take trips or write ‘Dear Commandante’ letters with the aim of negotiating as self-appointed emissaries to the communist regime,” he said.

2 Senators Went in April

Shultz mentioned no one by name, but Democratic Sens. John Kerry of Massachusetts and Tom Harkin of Iowa visited Nicaragua just days before the April 24 House defeat of aid to the contras, U.S.-backed rebels fighting the leftist Sandinista regime.

And a group of 10 House Democrats, including Majority Leader Jim Wright, wrote a controversial letter to Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega in March, 1984, addressed, “Dear Commandante.”

Shultz’s angry comments came as the Administration readied itself for another tough battle on Capitol Hill over financial aid to the contras. It was just the most recent expression of frustration by the Administration over congressional handling of foreign policy, especially the denial of $14 million in rebel aid.

On Monday, President Reagan pounded the table in frustration in a meeting of congressional leaders and a top Shultz assistant suggested that “Congress can’t make up its mind to go to the bathroom.”

Shultz in his speech called for bipartisanship on Central American policy.

‘Across Party Lines’

“Now, as far as taking some action is concerned, I think that we have to start by building a recognition across party lines that this practice is undesirable and reprehensible,” Shultz said.

Democrats have contended all along, however, that they are not trying to play a diplomatic role.

Harkin said upon his return that he had not gone to Nicaragua to negotiate but returned convinced of a “sincere desire” for better relations with Washington. He brought back a peace offer from Ortega.

The Senate on Wednesday delayed acting until after the Memorial Day recess on a new plan for aid to the contras, whom Shultz and Reagan refer to as “freedom fighters.”

Last month, the House turned down all kinds of aid--humanitarian and military--only to have Ortega embarrass opponents with a trip to Moscow for more Soviet aid. That prompted House Speaker Thomas P. (Tip) O’Neill Jr. to predict passage of some kind of aid to the rebels.