U.N. Panel Confirms Nicaraguan Troops Entered Honduras
A special U.N. panel confirmed Washington’s charge that Nicaraguan forces crossed into Honduras last month in pursuit of the U.S.-backed Contras, officials said Thursday.
In a report to U.N. Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar in New York, investigators said “it was acknowledged” that the Nicaraguan forces penetrated Honduran territory by more than 2 miles.
At the peak of the operation, up to 4,200 Nicaraguan troops were deployed, “but by the time the mission visited the area they were reportedly down to about 1,000,” said the report, made available to United Press International.
The four-man team, headed by Brazilian Gilberto Schlittler, was sent to Nicaragua on March 22 at Ortega’s request. Honduras refused permission for the team to visit its territory.
The report said the team met with Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and was briefed by Nicaraguan military officials.
The U.N. findings came as a blow to Ortega, who had repeatedly denied any violation of Honduran territory and had requested the investigation to counter the U.S. accusations.
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