Nicaraguan Base Has Honduras "Alarmed"

Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit

[The real fear here is that the FSLN seems poised to win the
November election, unless the CIA and the Catholic Church can turn
things around before hand. Honduran armed forces are, of course, 
in the pockets of the US, so they've complained.]

Saturday June 9 8:32 PM ET 

Honduras Accuses Nicaragua on Base

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) - In the latest conflict between the two Central
American countries, Honduras has accused Nicaragua of illegally constructing
a naval base close to their shared border.

A string of disputes has prompted the Organization of American States to
send observers to the two countries next month to prevent armed
confrontations.

Honduran armed forces Gen. Daniel Lopez said Nicaragua's alleged
construction of the naval base in the Miskito islands violates accords the
two countries signed in March prohibiting military installations near the
borders.

Nicaraguan Defense Secretary Jose Adan Guerra said the charge was
preposterous. He said the March accords determine that no bases can exist
within 20 miles of the countries' borders, and that the islands are `a lot
more than (20 miles) away from the maritime border.''

Guerra said the latest confrontation is to blame for the postponement of a
summit of Central American presidents that had been scheduled to begin
Tuesday.

Guerra told reporters in the Nicaraguan capital of Managua on Saturday that
Honduras unilaterally postponed the meeting after accusing Nicaragua of
constructing the naval base.

But Honduran Foreign Secretary Roberto Flores said several countries agreed
jointly to postpone the meeting, which will deal with border issues between
Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador (news - web sites) and Guatemala. He said a
new date would be determined Friday.

Relations between Nicaragua and Honduras have been tense since November
1999, when Honduras ratified a 13-year-old treaty with Colombia recognizing
Colombian sovereignty over the San Andres archipelago in the Caribbean.

Nicaragua, which also claims the archipelago, ended commercial relations
with Honduras and imposed a 35 percent tax on Honduran imports in response.
The dispute is now before an international court.
 
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