77-24-A3
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Nicaragua II
TranscriptLast time we talked about Nicaragua, its strong pro-American stance and some people who seem to be working to undermine it, and maybe us. I'll be right back. In my last broadcast, I mentioned the North American Congress on Latin America, a revolutionary organization spawned in 1966 by people associated with the S.D.S., Students for a Democratic Society. I also said that Nicaragua seems to be its current target. Among those who signed the incorporation papers for the N.A.C.L.A. was Brady Tyson currently a special advisor on Latin America to this country's Ambassador to the United Nations, Andrew Young. In February 1976, the group spelled out its approach to getting rid of the government of Nicaragua. It said, quote, “Ultimately the strongest solidarity comes from relating the struggle in Nicaragua to the struggle in the United States. From building a disciplined organization based in and able to mobilize the North American working class, designed to make the revolution in the United States.” Unquote. Soon after hearings began in two House of Representative subcommittees over USAID to Nicaragua, several leftist organizations aiming to cut off aid lobbied heavily, and with some success. The Washington Office on Latin America, W.O.L.A. was one such group it coached selected witnesses who would appear before the House Subcommittee on International Organizations. In June last year, a star witness was Father Fernando Cardinale, a political activist from Nicaragua and brother of an avowed Marxist, Father Ernesto Cardinale. No witnesses favorable to Nicaragua were scheduled until Democratic Representative John Murphy of New York asked to testify. Soon after, the Council on Hemispheric Affairs was created. Its members came from N.A.C.L.A., W.O.L.A. and various other far-left causes and lobby groups. There followed regularly over several months sharp criticisms of Nicaragua by Congressman Ed Koch, now mayor elect of New York City, and columnist Jack Anderson. In May this year Koch submitted an amendment to cut off military aid to Nicaragua. This effort failed but was cheered on by the Washington Office on Latin America, which also attacked U.S. programs to help the rural poor in Nicaragua and also sponsored a U.S. tour of the marxist Priest Ernesto Cardinale. The plot gets thicker. In June the Washington Post ran an article attacking Nicaragua over human rights. It was written by Penny Lernew, a freelancer. Perhaps she was being objective, but she has also been a contributor to the Pacific News Service, a far-left propaganda distribution organization. In July, Congressman Murphy, who had testified for Nicaragua, revealed that his personal affairs had been investigated by the staff of Congressman Koch, the vehement critic of Nicaragua. The thread running through all of this is one of attempted manipulation and intimidation of government officials and their staffs, and the news media to destroy the credibility of an ally, an ally which no one claims is perfect but which has staunchly supported U.S. The organizations which seem to be no secret that revolution is their aim. This is Ronald Reagan. Thanks for listening.
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