2 Cease-Fire Plans for Nicaragua Differ Sharply
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — A comparison of the main points of the Sandinista and Contra truce proposals:
DURATION
Sandinistas: One-month cease-fire, to start Dec. 5. Sandinista troops would attack rebels who do not turn in their weapons by Jan. 5.
Contras: Cease-fire, to start Dec. 8. Rebels would resume attacks on Jan. 17 unless there is full agreement on their other demands.
TRUCE ZONES
Sandinistas: Rebel troops move into three cease-fire zones. Sandinista police and civilian authorities are free to operate in those areas, and Sandinista troops are free to attack armed rebels outside them.
Contras: Sandinista and rebel troops maintain their current positions, which become cease-fire zones. Each side is prohibited from entering the other’s zone.
RESUPPLY
Sandinistas: Rebels are barred from receiving new military supplies. Non-lethal supplies are delivered by a neutral agency named by mutual agreement.
Contras: Prohibition on re-armament applies to both sides. Non-lethal supplies are delivered by a neutral agency named by mutual agreement.
DISARMAMENT
Sandinistas: Rebel troops surrender their weapons by the end of the truce period and receive amnesty. Sandinista army remains intact.
Contras: Rebels keep their weapons until “full democratization” of Nicaragua under the Central American peace accord. Both sides’ fighters merge in a volunteer army free of Sandinista party control.
POLITICAL CONDITIONS
Sandinistas: Rebel leaders who accept amnesty may engage in politics. Government will give amnesty to Contra prisoners and lift a state of emergency only after neighboring countries stop aiding rebels.
Contras: Sweeping political changes are a condition for the truce. Sandinistas must give amnesty to all prisoners, lift emergency rule and abolish collective farms, curbs on media, the draft and food rationing.
SUPERVISION
Sandinistas: An international commission set up under the Central American accord and named by the United Nations, the Organization of American States and 13 Latin nations will supervise the truce.
Contras: Truce will be monitored mainly by a panel of Central Americans named by the mediator.
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