Shultz Rejects Abrams Ouster

Secretary of State George P. Shultz, rejecting congressional calls for the ouster of Assistant Secretary Elliott Abrams, said in a letter released today that Abrams’ departure would be a “severe and unnecessary setback” to U.S. policy in Central America.

Shultz delivered the strong defense of Abrams in a letter he sent in response to an appeal by 129 Democratic congressmen that Abrams resign or be replaced. Abrams has come under fire on grounds that he deceived the Congress in testimony last fall but Shultz said he is confident that Abrams is “a man of integrity and has had no wish to mislead or deceive the Congress.”