‘No Confidence in Contras”
The Times is to be commended for its courage in advocating diplomatic solutions to the reality of conflicts in Central America.
How can we educate members of Congress so that they will have the “new courage and wisdom” to keep the Contadora process alive?
Certainly, as an enlightened democracy, we can see the imperative for the Contadora process, as stated in their Cancun Declaration of 1983: “The conflicts in Central America present the international community with the dilemma of either resolutely supporting and strengthening the path of political understanding by offering constructive solutions or passively accepting the accentuation of factors which could lead to extremely dangerous armed confrontations. The use of force is an approach that does not dissolve but aggravates the underlying tensions. Peace in Central America can become a reality only in so far as respect is shown for the basic principles of coexistence among nations . . .”
During the last five years the Contadora group has steadfastly refused to accept defeat and has established its process as the only viable alternative to regional war. In so doing, the members of the group have provided a powerful demonstration of willingness to transcend narrow concepts of national self-interest and to cooperate in the arduous process of resolving conflict without violence.
PATRICIA WEIL
Studio City
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