More Aid to Contras

I was stunned when I read, in the article “Congress Votes Contra Aid” (Part I, April 14), Secretary of State James Baker’s comments to a Senate subcommittee. In these remarks he indicated little confidence that the Sandinistas will meet U.S. demands for democratic reforms. Baker claims that their record is abysmal and they have kept none of their promises.

In all due respect, Baker is either the most uninformed secretary of state to ever hold an office of that stature, or he is hellbent on continuing the massive disinformation campaign of the Reagan era.

How could Baker be unaware of the recent release of political prisoners in Nicaragua? This was a significant demand of the U.S.-sponsored Contras, and a reform promised in February. This event was carried in major newspapers all over this country recently. It is amazing that it has not come to the attention of the person responsible for drafting our nation’s policy in that region!

Or how about the amendment of the Nicaraguan constitution to hold elections 10 months early? Or the amendment of the constitution to provide equal radio and TV coverage for all parties in that election, rather than a percentage of time based on voting records of previous years? Is Baker really unaware of these efforts the Sandinista government is making--literally bending over backwards to demonstrate its good intentions?

And these are just recent events. What about the fact that the Sandinistas now negotiate directly with the Contras--something they long resisted? Or the fact the opposition radio station is back on the air? Or the opposition newspaper back in print?

How about the fact that they, more than any other Central American country, have complied with the terms of the peace accords? They did set up a Conciliation Commission and appointed to head the commission one of the government’s strongest critics, Cardinal Miguel Obando y Bravo.

Well, the list goes on and on, but it seems that it doesn’t really matter how much the Sandinistas reform their government. When people like Baker have their mind made up that things are going to be a certain way, all the facts in the world aren’t going to change their view of reality. However, in a free society the citizens do not have to echo the views of their leaders. We can point to the facts. And just maybe if we keep pointing long enough, and yelling loud enough, someone up there is going to hear us and we can impact this country and this world for the better.

RICHARD L. JOHNSON

Valencia