Nicaraguan complaint against United States discussed in Council.

• Position: United Nations Security Council - Includes related information

Nicaraguan complaint against United States discussed in Council

The Security Council on 18 and 22 March considered what Nicaragua called the "serious situation created by the escalation of threats and aggression" against it and by the United States decision to send American troops to Honduras. The Council, after hearing 10 speakers, adjourned without a draft resolution having been tabled.

Nicaragua told the Council it was not the first time the United States had created an "artificial crisis" in its attempt to justify the continuation and extension of its "warlike policy" in Central America. The United States wanted both to ensure its direct military involvement in the Central American conflict and "abort" the Guatemala peace agreement, more specifically efforts to achieve a cease-fire in the area. Honduras should live up to the Guatemala Agreement by immediately dismantling contra bases on its soil and disarming and expelling those mercenaries.

Honduras told the council that Nicaragua had attacked Honduras and was responsible for the worsening of tension in Central America. Nicaragua, it said, had admitted the incursion, which it said involved some 1,500 Sandinista forces, using artillery and air power. The United States had responded to Honduras' request for effective and immediate assistance, sending 3,500 troops to Honduras to carry out "readiness exercises". They would remain until...