Nicaragua Ends Contra Truce

According to The Times’ editorial, Ortega has blown it again by announcing that his government will not renew a cease-fire with the Contras. The Times acknowledges that the Contras have violated the accord and killed many people (736 during the “cease-fire” according to the Nicaraguan government), but The Times asserts that the timing of Ortega’s announcement at the Costa Rican summit puts the onus for the renewed fighting on him.

If 763 American citizens were killed during a truce period, few Americans would challenge the moral legitimacy, indeed the necessity, of driving the killers out, but the dead (and the more numerous wounded) are merely Nicaraguans and their deaths should not be allowed to mar a public relations junket.

WILLIAM H. FORTHMAN

Northridge