HAMILTON says the Contras began military patrols inside Nicaragua. such incidents may be largely traceable to several groups of former National Guardsmen which often operated as bandits near the border but which were not connected to the Contras. although some of their members may later have joined the resistance. In the mind of the populace. however. these depredations apparently were ascribed to the Contras. The Smith/ Rugg report. based on interviews of refugees from areas of military activity. concluded that isolated Contra violations of the laws of war probably continue. but that there is no evidence of a systematic Contra policy of commiting or approving atrocities. The authors indicate that improvements in Contra discipline and behavior after 1982. plus a deterioration in Sandinista behavior. have now resulted in widespread and growing Contra popularity among the public. Robert Leiken. a former Sandinista supporter. also wrote 8 months ago in the New Republic that he was amazed by the extent of Contra popularity.
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refugees