U.S. Acts to Halt Contra Leader’s Resignation

State Department officials met Thursday with Nicaraguan rebel leader Arturo Cruz in an apparent attempt to convince him not to resign his post in the rebel umbrella group.

The officials are concerned that Cruz’s departure from the United Nicaraguan Opposition could tilt congressional sentiment against providing additional aid to the rebels. Cruz indicated in an interview Wednesday he had made up his mind to quit but a State Department official, insisting on anonymity, said Thursday the signals about Cruz’s intentions have been mixed.