U.S. Policy in Central America

Abraham Brumberg’s premise (Editorial Pages, July 16) that the Sandinistas’ “repressive measures . . . have invariably been provoked by U.S.-directed aggression,” such as support for the contras, leads to two conclusions.

First, the Nicaraguan people are hostages of their government. Second, the Nicaraguan government perceives the contras as a serious threat to its power.

Brumberg also mistakes cause and effect. Finally, he contradicts himself by contending that “Nicaragua’s armed forces are preeminently of a defensive kind” and that “nothing would suggest that (the contras) are a match for the large, increasingly, well-trained and motivated Nicaraguan army.”

BILL MOSELEY

Los Angeles