Ortega Tells of Getting Bush Letter
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MANAGUA, Nicaragua — President-elect George Bush has written President Daniel Ortega saying he wants to work toward strengthening world peace, the leftist Sandinista government said Friday.
A statement from Ortega’s press office said Bush’s letter was in reply to a message of congratulations Ortega sent Bush on his election in November.
The New York Times recently quoted Ortega as saying he would present a peace proposal to Bush but insisting that any talks with the United States center on security issues, not Nicaragua’s internal politics.
For the past eight years, the United States has pressured the Sandinistas to undertake democratic reforms and to cut their military ties with Cuba and the Soviet Union. Washington has supported the Nicaraguan rebels since 1981 as part of that campaign.
The Contras issued their Christmas message Friday, vowing not to lay down their arms until there is democracy.
“Certainly it will be a sad Christmas, but the near future is filled with hope,” said the Contras.
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