Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 28, 1990 TAG: 9006280731
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A/11 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: SAN PEDRO DE LOVAGO, NICARAGUA LENGTH: Medium
"I feel proud and happy as a Nicaraguan woman and mother because the boys have turned over their arms so Nicaragua can live in peace," President Violeta Barrios de Chamorro said Wednesday after a ceremony in which top Contra rebel leaders gave up their weapons.
"We're going to disarm everyone peacefully, without hate and without resentment," she said.
During the ceremony formally ending the war, about 100 rebel commanders turned over surface-to-air missiles and automatic rifles to international observers from the United Nations and Organization of American States.
The international force destroyed the Contra weapons with blowtorches on the spot in San Pedro de Lovago, about 100 miles east of Managua, the capital.
The town is in the heart of the security zones established for the disarmament and voluntary resettlement of the Contras.
"Today the war ends," presidential spokesman Danilo Lacayo said.
The Contra commanders were led by Israel Galeano, who had turned over a first batch of weapons, including 62 U.S.-made Red Eye missiles, to the head of the U.N.-OAS force, Gen. Agustin Quesada.
"We hope this signifies that peace will endure in Nicaragua," Galeano told the Spanish general.
"It is an honor to say to the Nicaraguan people: `Mission accomplished.' The struggle has been to establish a government of laws in this country," Galeano said, handing over his own rifle.
The Contras, who were trained and supported by the United States, claim credit for forcing the former Sandinista government to call the Feb. 25 election that Chamorro won.
After losing the election, the Sandinistas allegedly distributed tens of thousands of automatic weapons to civilian supporters, urging them to "defend the conquests" of the Sandinista revolution.
Chamorro pledged during Wednesday's ceremony to ask local officials nationwide to "tell me in writing" where Sandinista arms caches are hidden.
by CNB