Nicaragua, Contras Offer Truce Plans : Two Sides Differ on Length of Cease-Fire, Amnesty Provisions

The Sandinista government and Contra rebels today announced proposals for a 30-day or 45-day extension of a temporary cease-fire that was to end Wednesday. Amnesty and steps toward a lasting peace would be included in the plan.

The leftist government’s proposal, outlined in a statement to journalists on the second day of peace talks at this post on the Costa Rican border, calls for a 30-day truce with the rebels intended for them to lay down their arms and “rejoin Nicaraguan society.”

It also provides for the release of a political prisoner for each rebel accepting amnesty. Deputy Foreign Minister Victor Hugo Tinoco told reporters there are 3,300 prisoners the government considers eligible for release under the program.

Truce Zones Proposed

The Contra proposal calls for a 45-day truce starting on Good Friday, April 1, in which rebel fighters would move into cease-fire zones still to be determined.

It said the government should grant “total and unconditional amnesty” as soon as the truce takes effect, allowing anyone who left Nicaragua for political reasons to “rejoin the political, economic and social process without any conditions.”

The rebels also want to join a national dialogue between the Sandinistas and their internal political opponents while the cease-fire lasts. The government also would allow rebel leaders to participate in national reconciliation talks.

Can Rejoin Political Life

“At the moment in which a cease-fire is signed, whether it be for 30, 60 or 90 days, according to what the counterrevolution wants, at that moment the leadership of the Nicaraguan Resistance will be able to rejoin civic and political life and even participate in the national dialogue that seeks a reconciliation of all Nicaraguans,” Tinoco said.

Both proposals call for international monitoring of the cease-fire.

The two sides agreed Monday to a truce during the three days of talks, the first ever held on Nicaraguan territory in more than six years of war and the first direct talks without a mediator.

Rebel and government negotiators for both sides were optimistic after the first round of peace talks Monday, the first held since December.