Nicaragua and the Contras

In his column (“Already, Sandinistas Set Traps for Next Election,” Op-Ed Page, May 25), Bosco Matamoros of the Nicaraguan Resistance talks about how undemocratic Nicaragua is. I was just there last November and found it to be by far the most democratic country of those I visited in Central America, which included Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

True, Nicaraguans were more likely to speak out against their government than other Central Americans, but this is because they don’t fear being “disappeared” by death squads.

In the other countries of Central America people are unwilling to discuss national problems for fear of losing their lives.

The majority of discontent in Nicaragua centers around the country’s economic problems. Since the days of the banana republics, Nicaragua, as well as the other countries of Central America, has been dependent on the United States as a market for its products. But now, with the U.S. embargo of Nicaraguan goods, the economy is collapsing. The problem is not one caused by the Sandinista government, but by the vengeful attitudes voiced by Matamoros and the Bush Administration.

In my opinion, the governments of El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala fit Matamoros’ description of injustice much more than the Sandinista government. But just like no one should take Matamoros’ word as uncontested truth, the same should be said about my opinion. Therefore, I suggest that more Americans visit Nicaragua and get the real picture of what the country is going through. Nicaragua is the only country of those I visited that did not even require a visa.

PETER DREKMEIER

Palo Alto