Chemical Arms Used on Contras, Leader Says
The leader of the largest anti-Sandinista rebel group charged Saturday that the Nicaraguan army is using chemical weapons in its fight against the contras.
“We have found gas masks and very sophisticated rocket launchers used to fire these chemical arms,” said Adolfo Calero, leader of Honduran-based Nicaraguan Democratic Force, in a broadcast over the clandestine rebel radio stations.
The Nicaraguan Defense Ministry had no direct comment on Calero’s charges but has repeatedly denied accusations that the Sandinista army employs chemical weapons against the Contra forces.
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