Angry Wright Defends Role--Didn’t ‘Need Permission’ : Justifies Talks on Nicaragua

House Speaker Jim Wright heatedly defended his involvement in the Central American peace process today and asserted after meeting with President Reagan that he doesn’t need the permission of the secretary of state to talk with a friend such as Nicaraguan Cardinal Miguel Obando y Bravo.

Wright sought the face-to-face session with Reagan following a barrage of criticism from Administration officials and the House GOP leader in the wake of meeting last week with Obando and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega.

The cardinal has agreed to act as a mediator between the leftist Sandinistas and the U.S.-backed Contra rebels under a regionally proposed peace plan. Over the weekend, Administration officials and Rep. Robert H. Michel of Illinois, the House minority leader, accused Wright of inserting himself into the process.

‘I’m Not a Diplomat’

“I have no illusions that I am a diplomat. I’m not a diplomat. I’m not qualified to be a diplomat, . . . but when people come from foreign countries, whom I have met and whom I regard as friends, I’m going to have an open door for them,” Wright said.

Speaking of the cardinal, Wright said, “I don’t think I need to get the permission of the secretary of state to talk with a friend.” The Speaker insisted that he had become involved after both sides had invited him to speak with them.

Wright said he sought the White House meeting after newspaper reports appeared, quoting unnamed Administration officials who castigated him for his actions and accused him of endangering the peace process.

Not Usurping Shultz Role

“I came to discuss with the secretary of state and the President what I thought they might well have wanted to discuss with me before they encouraged or tolerated one of their underlings to leak stories attacking me,” Wright said.

He said it is “thoroughly erroneous” to suggest that he has tried to usurp the role of Secretary of State George P. Shultz.

“There may be a small cadre of people who do not want (the peace plan) to work out . . . that are terrorized that peace might break out,” he said.

White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater told reporters that Reagan and Wright had “a stern session,” which also included Vice President George Bush, national security adviser Frank C. Carlucci and White House Chief of Staff Howard H. Baker Jr.

Reagan Warns of Confusion

“The President pointed out to the Speaker the confusion that arises and the misleading impressions that can be left if members of Congress, without coordination with the executive branch, involve themselves in complex negotiations with foreign heads of government,” Fitzwater said in a statement released to reporters.

“The President expressed his concern over the Speaker’s role in getting involved in what should be essentially a matter between the Sandinista government and the Nicaraguan resistance,” Fitzwater said.

On Sunday, Michel said Wright was “absolutely wrong” for participating in the peace process.

Hopes for Same Goal

But Wright, interviewed on ABC-TV’s “Good Morning America,” said:

“I’m not trying to be critical of the Administration. I’d like to hope we’re both on the same team. I want to think that the President and the secretary of state want peace to break out in Central America. I do.”

The Speaker suggested he has a better understanding of Central America than the Administration does.

“I don’t consider (Central Americans) inferiors, and I think sometimes the Administration unfortunately gives the impression that it looks upon Central Americans as inferiors,” Wright said. “It’s always lecturing them, holding them up to public ridicule and scoring them and refusing to see them.”