Statement by Assistant
to the President for Press Relations Fitzwater on Discussions Between the Speaker of the House of Representatives and
President Daniel Ortega of
The
President met today with House Speaker Jim Wright for 40 minutes to discuss the
Speaker's involvement and discussions with Sandinista President Daniel Ortega
last week. The President expressed his concern over the Speaker's role in
getting involved in what should be essentially a matter between the Sandinista
government and the Nicaraguan resistance with respect to negotiating a
cease-fire. The President pointed out to the Speaker the confusion that arises
and the misleading impressions that can be left if Members of Congress, without
coordination with the executive branch, involve themselves in complex
negotiations with foreign heads of government.
Speaker
Wright reported to the President on his discussions with President Ortega,
Cardinal Obando, and members of the Nicaraguan
resistance. He asserted to the President that his efforts were an attempt to
further the peace process and to offer Cardinal Obando
whatever assistance might be useful in his efforts to serve as a mediator
between the Sandinistas and the Nicaraguan resistance.
The
President strongly stressed to the Speaker the need for additional nonlethal assistance for the freedom fighters to ensure
that they remain a cohesive, viable force which can continue pressuring the
Sandinistas into meeting their commitments under the Central American peace
plan. The President expressed the hope that Congress will work closely with the
administration in the effort to secure peace in