Beilenson Appeals Nicaraguan Refusal of Visas for His Election Observers

Rep. Anthony C. Beilenson (D-Los Angeles) and Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), co-chairmen of a congressional delegation appointed to observe next year’s election in Nicaragua, have asked President Daniel Ortega to reconsider the denial of visas to the group.

“Congressional commitment to improved relations between our two countries will depend, in large part, on the ability of its members to observe firsthand the free and fair election you have promised,” Lugar and Beilenson wrote to Ortega on Dec. 5.

“We have no intention of interfering in Nicaragua’s internal affairs, nor do we come as supporters of any candidate or party,” the letter continued. “Our only intent is to observe the elections process, an interest we believe you and your government share.”

Beilenson said Wednesday that no reply had been received. Cecilia Lopez, a Nicaraguan Embassy spokeswoman, said she had no further information about the visas. The election is scheduled Feb. 25.

Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Miguel D’Escoto announced Nov. 30 that the visas would be withheld because of the hostility between the two governments. He said the U. S. lawmakers sought “to come here and masquerade as innocent and impartial election observers.”

At the request of the Bush Administration, Congress appropriated $3 million for the opposition presidential campaign of pro-American newspaper publisher Violetta Barrios de Chamorro, as well as $5 million for nonpartisan voter education and poll-watching. An additional $1 million was earmarked for international observer groups.

Beilenson, chairman of the House Select Committee on Intelligence, and Lugar, a veteran observer of elections in the Philippines and El Salvador, were appointed co-chairmen of the congressional monitoring group by President Bush on Nov. 17.

They had planned to travel to Nicaragua in early January to observe election rallies and speak with opposition members and Sandinistas.

“The State Department’s hopeful that we’ll be allowed down there, but there’s no indication we will be,” Beilenson said.

“Much as I’m disappointed and hope that they do change their mind, the truth of the matter is there are three groups down there now monitoring the election,” he said. “All of them, to be quite frank about it, are able to do a more thorough job than we’d be able to do.”

Beilenson was referring to election observers sponsored by the Organization of American States, the United Nations and a 30-member group headed by former President Jimmy Carter under the auspices of the Council of Freely Elected Heads of Government. All three organizations have been welcomed by the Sandinistas, including members of Congress who are in Carter’s group.

The additional value of the congressional delegation, Beilenson said, is that it would report directly to Bush and give the 20 lawmakers a firsthand perspective.

Beilenson has consistently opposed military aid to the Nicaraguan Contras but, in recent years, has voted for humanitarian aid. His 23rd District includes the west San Fernando Valley and part of the Westside of Los Angeles.