U.S. Relations With Nicaragua

Congratulations to The Times for its fine editorial summarizing the many ways in which President Reagan’s Central America policy has failed, and calling for support of the Arias peace plan, and for a more constructive strategy and rational basis for U.S.-Nicaraguan relations.

One contradiction in The Times’ analysis is that it lauds the elements of the Arias peace plan including “an end to outside interference in each country’s internal affairs,” but calls for continued U.S. financial support to opposition groups in Nicaragua--which is obviously interference which would continue to violate international law. In our own country, aid from foreign governments for internal political activities is prohibited. We would resent such foreign interference in our affairs.

A more constructive strategy would be true non-interference, normalization of relations, direct talks between the U.S. and Nicaragua to settle mutual security concerns, and an end to the U.S. embargo (supported in your editorial). Such a policy would also win the plaudits and support of the large population in the U.S. who now bitterly oppose U.S. policy towards Nicaragua.

SHIRLEY CERESETO

Anaheim