2 Cease-Fire Plans for Nicaragua Differ Sharply

A comparison of the main points of the Sandinista and Contra truce proposals:

DURATION

Sandinistas: One-month cease-fire, to start Dec. 5. Sandinista troops would attack rebels who do not turn in their weapons by Jan. 5.

Contras: Cease-fire, to start Dec. 8. Rebels would resume attacks on Jan. 17 unless there is full agreement on their other demands.

TRUCE ZONES

Sandinistas: Rebel troops move into three cease-fire zones. Sandinista police and civilian authorities are free to operate in those areas, and Sandinista troops are free to attack armed rebels outside them.

Contras: Sandinista and rebel troops maintain their current positions, which become cease-fire zones. Each side is prohibited from entering the other’s zone.

RESUPPLY

Sandinistas: Rebels are barred from receiving new military supplies. Non-lethal supplies are delivered by a neutral agency named by mutual agreement.

Contras: Prohibition on re-armament applies to both sides. Non-lethal supplies are delivered by a neutral agency named by mutual agreement.

DISARMAMENT

Sandinistas: Rebel troops surrender their weapons by the end of the truce period and receive amnesty. Sandinista army remains intact.

Contras: Rebels keep their weapons until “full democratization” of Nicaragua under the Central American peace accord. Both sides’ fighters merge in a volunteer army free of Sandinista party control.

POLITICAL CONDITIONS

Sandinistas: Rebel leaders who accept amnesty may engage in politics. Government will give amnesty to Contra prisoners and lift a state of emergency only after neighboring countries stop aiding rebels.

Contras: Sweeping political changes are a condition for the truce. Sandinistas must give amnesty to all prisoners, lift emergency rule and abolish collective farms, curbs on media, the draft and food rationing.

SUPERVISION

Sandinistas: An international commission set up under the Central American accord and named by the United Nations, the Organization of American States and 13 Latin nations will supervise the truce.

Contras: Truce will be monitored mainly by a panel of Central Americans named by the mediator.