Panel OKs Gallegly’s Nicaragua Aid Plan
A proposal by Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) that would make $300 million in economic aid to Nicaragua contingent on the defeated Sandinistas allowing a peaceful transfer of power to the new government was unanimously approved Tuesday by the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
The committee adopted the measure as an amendment to President Bush’s proposal to provide financial assistance to the new governments of Nicaragua and Panama.
Gallegly’s initiative gives the President the right to suspend aid if he determines that the Sandinistas are not handing over the reins of government to Violeta Chamorro, who was elected last month.
“It remains to be seen whether the Sandinista party will fully cooperate with a smooth and complete transfer of power,” said Gallegly, who was an official observer at the Feb. 25 Nicaraguan election. “We do not want U.S. aid to go to a Sandinista-controlled government.”
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