U.S. Policies in Central America and Turmoil in Nicaragua

As even Bush Administration apologist Wayne S. Smith cannot help observing, we are “seemingly incapable of formulating a principled, effective policy for Central America . . . “ (“Ortega Takes Up Arms, Firing at Plans for Peace,” Opinion, Nov. 5). Unfortunately for President Daniel Ortega, our bumbling has resulted in the deaths of over 700 Nicaraguan men, women and children. Smith goes so far as to admit that we have “turned a blind eye” to the bloodshed we have caused; small consolation to the citizens of Nicaragua. Finally in paragraph six of an otherwise uninspired article he notes: This “discrepancy must be addressed, and it is one that the Bush Administration is largely responsible for.” How does President Ortega explain this “discrepancy” to the families of the Administration’s victims?

Smith counsels Ortega on what a “clever statesman” might do. One must infer that Smith is not talking about a clever statesman like George Washington who accepted foreign aid in the form of French troops to drive out the British, or a clever statesman like Teddy Roosevelt who spoke softly but carried a big stick, or even a clever statesman like Ronald Reagan who chased phantoms from Lebanon to Libya. Smith apparently has a milder, more compliant statesman in mind; perhaps (former dictator Anastasio) Somoza.

He concludes his essay by tripping over himself again, first, by outlining how polls continue to project a Sandinista victory, thus strengthening Ortega’s credibility regarding the upcoming elections, while in the next paragraph confides to us that “suspicions of Ortega’s intentions have been raised anew. . . .”

This kind of befuddled analysis can be expected after 50 years of paternalistic tyranny but it will no longer be tolerated. The people of Nicaragua must be given a chance to determine their own destiny.

KEN LANDSMAN, Manhattan Beach