Letter from Washington

Does Ronald Reagan hate the Contras? Or has he just forgotten about Nicaragua? Given his Administration’s recent behavior, some such hypothesis seems necessary. Just take a peek at the recent twists in the Contra-aid saga.

Last month, the White House sent Congress a $36-million request to extend logistical and military support to the rebels, despite the warnings of every nose-counter in Washington that such a contraption would not fly. It didn’t. This month, the Administration encouraged Republicans and conservative Democrats to oppose an admittedly anemic aid package crafted by Democrats, despite the Contras’ own pleas that they accept what the Democrats offered. With President Reagan’s tacit blessing, that Contra-aid proposal was killed.

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Does Ronald Reagan hate the Contras? Or has he just forgotten about Nicaragua? Given his Administration’s recent behavior, some such hypothesis seems necessary. Just take a peek at the recent twists in the Contra-aid saga.

Last month, the White House sent Congress a $36-million request to extend logistical and military support to the rebels, despite the warnings of every nose-counter in Washington that such a contraption would not fly. It didn’t. This month, the Administration encouraged Republicans and conservative Democrats to oppose an admittedly anemic aid package crafted by Democrats, despite the Contras’ own pleas that they accept what the Democrats offered. With President Reagan’s tacit blessing, that Contra-aid proposal was killed.