Contras Stall Talks With Sandinistas : Delay Will Last Only ‘Few Days or a Couple of Weeks,’ Leader Says

Contra leaders announced today that they will delay peace talks with Nicaragua’s Sandinista government in the wake of congressional rejection of their aid package.

Contra Director Alfredo Cesar said neither the rebels nor Roman Catholic Church leaders mediating the negotiations will be able to attend a scheduled Feb. 10 meeting in Guatemala.

The delay will be for only “a few days or a couple of weeks,” said Cesar, who said the Feb. 10 date had been tentative in any case.

The Contra leadership also announced a formal fund-raising drive that has already received $500 from presidential candidate Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.) and $400 from Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

1st Talks in January

But Director Adolfo Calero said “private funds can never replace the aid” refused by Congress.

Nicaragua’s leftist Sandinista government had long rejected direct talks with the Contras, contending that the United States was responsible for Contra activities. The Sandinistas changed their position on Jan. 16 under pressure from other Central American nations, and a first round of talks took place Jan. 28.

Critics suggested that the change of heart was an effort to stall the Reagan Administration’s effort to provide more aid to the Contras. The $36.2-million proposal was defeated in the House of Representatives last Wednesday.

The money raised in the United States will be used only for non-lethal aid, the Contra leaders said, adding that they will seek aid for weapons elsewhere.

2 Nonprofit Foundations

“We will go to third countries and people living outside the United States” for funds to buy weapons, said Calero, but added that no other nations have yet been approached.

The leaders said all contributions will be funneled through two nonprofit foundations in Washington, which will abide strictly by U.S. law.

Calero dismissed comments by Panama’s military strongman Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega that he had been approached with a plan to lead an invasion of Nicaragua with U.S. support.