Byrd Hopes for Bipartisan OK This Week on New Contra Aid

Senate Majority Leader Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) said today that he hopes to reach bipartisan agreement this week on a new aid package for Nicaragua’s Contra rebels, but it remained unclear whether the measure would include new weapons.

Byrd said the matter could come before the Senate by mid-week, when lawmakers will take up a supplemental money bill, or late in the week, when they begin work on a Pentagon funding measure.

“The Democrats have not finalized a plan yet,” Byrd told reporters. “I hope we can reach consensus among Democrats and then go to the Republican leader and see if we can get bipartisan agreement.”

Meanwhile, White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said it was an encouraging sign that the Democrats are working on a proposal to give military aid to the Contras if the Sandinista government does not honor its peace pledges.

It “certainly does seem to signal that the Democrats and others are concerned about the recent actions of President (Daniel) Ortega, that they recognize the fact Ortega has turned his back on the peace process and has started clamping down on all these various freedoms,” Fitzwater said.

He said the Administration would work with Democrats and others “to get an acceptable plan.”

Minority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.) has proposed a $47-million aid package for the anti-Sandinista rebels, including $20 million in standby military aid that could be triggered by a later congressional vote.