WORLD IN BRIEF : NICARAGUA : Ortega Sees a Plot to Discredit Election

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega accused the opposition of plotting to create a “situation like Panama” by withdrawing from the Feb. 25 national elections. He said he told Elliot Richardson, a former U.S. attorney general who is monitoring the campaign and election for the United Nations, that he fears such a ploy would set the stage for the United States to declare the election fraudulent and invade the country. Opposition spokesman Danilo Lacayo denied that the National Opposition Union will withdraw and called Ortega’s statement just another maneuver.