NICARAGUA/UNITED STATES: Government and contra rebels sign ceasefire agreement /Secretary of State Schultz comments

Record ID: 860823

  • Title: NICARAGUA/UNITED STATES: Government and contra rebels sign ceasefire agreement /Secretary of State Schultz comments
  • Date: 24th March 1988
  • Summary: SAPOA, MARCH 23 1988 (VISNEWS NICARAGUA) (W) SVs Official reading conditions of agreement with Sandinista and Contra leaders including President Daniel Ortega and Nicaraguan Defence Minister Humberto Ortega. (2 SHOTS) GV & CUs Humberto Ortega and rebel leader Adolfo Calero signing agreement. (3 SHOTS) SV Calero signing. SV Humberto Ortega signing. SV Calero speaking. (Spanish SOT) SV President Ortega speaking. (Spanish SOT)
  • Embargoed: 8th April 1988 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: SAPOA, NICARAGUA/WASHINGTON DC, UNITED STATES
  • City:
  • Country: USA Nicaragua United States
  • Topics: War / Fighting,International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA5CESQ7T9A2Y8DE642KQ2SMQUU
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: The Nicaraguan government and United States (US)-backed Contra rebels signed an agreement on March 23 for a 60 day ceasefire and amnesty for political prisoners. Leaders for both sides signed the historic accord after three days of talks in the Nicaraguan southern village of Sapoa. The agreement committed the Contra rebels to soliciting or accepting only humanitarian aid. Under the agreement, the ceasefire will take effect from April 1 and a truce declared at the start of the talks on March 21 will stay in effect until that date. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, other Sandinista officials and Contra leaders sang the national anthem together with the Nicaraguan flag as a backdrop at the ceremony. Organisation of American States (OAS) Secretary General Joao Baena Suarez then read the accord. The two sides also agreed to maintain dialogue during the ceasefire towards a definitive peace. Rebel leader Adolfo Calero said both sides need to compromise to reach an agreement. US Secretary of State George Shultz said in Washington DC on March 24 that the agreement was an important step forward. He said it provided for continued aid to the freedom fighters but there was no aid at the moment. Shultz added that Congress should provide that aid immediately before the Easter recess to sustain the Contras.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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