Respect Needed in Policy on Latin America: Dukakis

Democrat Michael S. Dukakis met today with Costa Rican President Oscar Arias Sanchez and said the United States must “develop a new relationship based on respect” with Latin American leaders.

Dukakis praised Arias’ peace plan for Central America and said the U.S. government should consult frequently with leaders of the troubled region.

The Costa Rican president said Central American leaders oppose the use of military force to oust Panama’s Gen. Manuel A. Noriega.

“My conviction is that only through persuasion” can Noreiga be removed, Arias said after his Statehouse meeting with Dukakis.

Military Solution Not Favored

“I don’t think any Latin American country would be in favor of a military solution, of military pressure, of economic sanctions,” said Arias, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to bring peace to Central America.

“They hurt the Panamanian people, not necessarily the government. . . . We must reach a diplomatic solution and we would never be in favor of military pressure.”

Arias sidestepped a question about endorsing the certain Democratic nominee, saying only that he would be a “good friend of whoever you decide to elect in November” and that his fluent Spanish would be an asset in meeting with Latin leaders.

Dukakis attended the Harvard University commencement, where Arias gave the main address, and was at wife Kitty’s side as she was released from Massachusetts General Hospital. Mrs. Dukakis is recovering from spinal surgery a week ago.

Mrs. Dukakis, wearing a neck brace, said she always knew that Massachusetts General Hospital was “the greatest hospital in the world, and now I know why.”

Mrs. Dukakis, 51, was in visible pain, but spent several minutes thanking the doctors, nurses and hospital staff who treated her.

She will have to wear a neck brace for several weeks but said her doctors told her that she could take it off at the Democratic National Convention in July on the night her husband formally accepts the nomination.