THE CENTRAL AMERICAN SUMMIT: 5 PRESIDENTS MEET
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THE KEY CONFLICTS Guatemala--Leftist rebels, active since 1960s, reduced to isolated zones but still fighting. Talks proposed by government have collapsed; no new talks planned.
Honduras--Several thousand rebels, opposed to Nicaraguan government, encamped in south. Persistent source of tension with Nicaragua, which sent troops across border in 1986 and March, 1988.
El Salvador--Leftist guerrillas, fighting U.S.-backed government for nine years, declared truce for current summit. On Jan. 24, they proposed joining elections; government has not responded favorably.
Nicaragua--U.S.-backed rebels, known as Contras, battling leftist Sandinista government for seven years. Fighting sporadic since preliminary cease-fire accord
in March, 1988. No final peace pact. Elections scheduled for 1990, but pace of democratic reforms is slow.
Costa Rica--Only peaceful nation among the five. President Oscar Arias Sanchez devised 1987 regional peace plan.
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