U.S. Sends Aid, Copters and Pilots to Honduras

President Reagan, responding to what Honduras called a large-scale Nicaraguan incursion into its territory, provided Honduras with $20 million worth of military equipment today, the White House announced.

The assistance, which included U.S. troop-transport helicopters with American pilots, was immediately put to use flying Honduran troops to the border. But a presidential aide said the craft will avoid combat situations.

“The use of the presidential authority responds to an unforeseen emergency which exists in Honduras,” White House spokesman Larry Speakes told reporters.

Speakes said key members of Congress were notified in advance of the President’s action, as required by law. The emergency action is not subject to congressional approval or disapproval, he said.

Reagan Transferred Funds

First word of the President’s action came from Mark Helmke, a spokesman for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who said Reagan transferred the $20 million from a Pentagon contingency fund in order to turn over U.S. equipment already inside Honduras to the Honduran military.

He said the President is allowed to request and transfer the money after notifying Congress, which he did at 8:30 a.m.

“The money could already be delivered as we speak,” Helmke said, adding that no further action by Congress is required.

Secretary of State George P. Shultz said the Nicaraguans had “invaded” Honduras.

Troops’ Presence Confirmed

A spokesman for the embassy of Honduras in Washington read a statement saying: “The government of Honduras confirms the presence of Sandinista troops in the department of Olacho. The National Security Council is meeting now to study the situation.

“At the same time we are sending a diplomatic request to Nicaragua demanding the immediate withdrawal of the Sandinista troops in order to avoid a confrontation that could endanger the peace of the two countries.

“The government of Honduras is acting with calm and prudence but with the firmness that the situation requires. Also, it has requested from the government of the United States logistic and transport aid.”