Speech #970155626

I had previously visited most of the other countries of that region. and I wanted to see again some of the problems besetting them. While there. I had the opportunity to meet with more than 100 refugees who had Just fled from what they described as Sandinista oppression in Nicaragua. I would like to relay to my colleagues the refugees accounts of life in Nicaraguaaccounts which conform to the mounting evidence of widespread dissatisfaction and repression in Nicaragua under the Sandinista Junta. My talks with these unfortunate people have left me more convinced than ever that Nicaragua is becoming another Marxistoriented Cuba. I believe that the refugees accounts are particularly relevant now. in light of todays reports that the United States may resume giving aid to Nicaragua. This would be a grave mistake. The refugees described to me a society torn by economic deteriorization. forced militarization. and a relentless assault on human rights. They also confirmed the presence of Cubans in Nicaragua. The refugees. 105 Nicaraguans representing 16 families. had crossed the Honduran border only hours before I met with them. I was flown by helicopteran old U.S. Huey operated by Honduran soldiersover rugged mountainous terrain to a small village by the border. With a U.S. Army major interpreting. I questioned the leaders of the refugee group. They told me that two of their partya 12yearold boy and his 30yearold fatherhad been shot and killed by Nicaraguan militia during the escape. All of the refugees were farmers. some grew beans. coffee. and corn. and some raised cattle. Women and children comprised a large portion of the group. The six leaders with whom I talked varied in age from 29 to 42. except for one aged 72. The refugees told me that economic conditions had become intolerable since the Sandinistas had taken over Nicaragua and that they had been planning their escape for about 5 months. The decision to flee came on Wednesday. April 7. after the men. except the very young and very old. were given an ultimatum by the Sandinistas to join the militia and become Sandinistas or go to Jail. Rather than face this Hobsons choice. the group left the country at 5 a.m. on Thursday. April 8. The refugees said schoolteachers are being sent into rural areas of Nicaragua and that farmers are required to take as many as two teachers into their homes. After some rudimentary educational instruction. the teachers then begin to indoctrinate the children in the Sandinista version of MarxistLeninist dogma. The groups leaders affirmed that they had seen Cubans in the country. They said the Cubans either identified themselves as such or were distinguishable from Nicaraguans or Hon. durans by their accent. When I asked what they would do in Honduras. the refugees replied that they hoped the government would permit them to have some land to continue their farming. Many said they believed in freedom and did not want to live under the threats and oppression of the Sandinista regime. Though the Honduran villagers were themselves mostly impoverished. they made available to the refugees several buildings. one of which was used as a mess hall. The influx of Nicaraguans will increase the village population by onethird. I spoke with an American doctor from Houston who had examined the refugees. He said many were illnurished and needed some medication. He particularly cited the need for vitamins.