‘Pressure on Nicaragua’

Again, one of your otherwise well-considered editorials on the Reagan Administration’s misguided Central American policy (Feb. 28), “Putting Pressure on Nicaragua,” contains a harsh statement about the Nicaraguan government.

“The contra war is no more than harassment to the Sandinistas, but they use it as an excuse to crack down even more harshly on their own people,” you write.

There seems to be an accepted journalistic rule of thumb nationwide, in print and broadcast news circles: every time you prepare a story or editorial critical of President Reagan’s violent plans, make sure you sting the Nicaraguans so that your piece will be accepted. There seems to be a “mind-set,” a consensus on how to see the Nicaraguan government.

I have visited Nicaragua twice in the past seven months--have been on the back roads at the borders as well as in the cities--and can assure you that the contra war is taking its toll, physically, financially and psychologically. About half of Nicaragua’s small national budget goes for defense and there are chronic shortages in many areas. Nicaragua is feeling intense pressure from all sides. The U.S. economic blockade assists the contras.

It is to the Sandinistas’ credit that they mounted a costly offensive and drove all but 3,000 contras out of their nation. This is the first coffee harvest that did not involve the deaths of many Nicaraguans, and they appreciate their government’s care. Imagine having 3,000 heavily armed guerrillas roaming somewhere in the Sierras! That’s more than mild harassment.

Giving credence to the Reagan-Shultz line--that the Sandinistas fabricate the danger from the United States and exploit the public’s misfortunes--only takes away from your valid central argument, that the Contadora process is the answer.

Secretary of State George P. Shultz’ angry testimony of Feb. 27 before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee was packed with falsehoods about life in Nicaragua and clearly showed the United States does not seek a peaceful solution to this very critical conflict.

It is the U.S. government that is engaged in a massive disinformation campaign--not the Nicaraguans--and it is the United States that is exploiting the fears of its people to unnecessarily build up arms--not the Nicaraguans who overthrew our man Somoza in 1979 and who cry for a chance to build their new nation.

MICHAEL EMERY

Pacific Palisades