
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 18, 1991                   TAG: 9104180020
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: The New York Times
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

BUSH PROMISES NICARAGUA HELP

In an endorsement of Nicaragua's new austerity policies, President Bush pledged on Wednesday to President Violeta Barrios de Chamorro that he would lead an international effort to help the country clear $360 million in overdue payments on its crushing debt.

Administration officials said that while Bush did not offer her any new aid, he did promise that the United States might augment its previous pledge of $50 million in debt relief if Managua needed it later this year.

Chamorro and her aides said Bush's efforts would soon open the way for the first payments on Nicaragua's $9.5 billion debt since 1984.

by CNB