HL Deb 17 December 1986 vol 483 c270WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether in their opinion the United States Ambassador to the CSCE meeting in Vienna has accurately described the situation in Nicaragua as one where "the Soviet Union is attempting forcibly to help place in power a totalitarian political leadership which is opposed by the masses of the people" and whether the United States administration has provided evidence, to them and to other allies of the United States, in support of this statement.

Baroness Young

The present Government of Nicaragua came to power as a result of a popularly supported revolution, but many of the original supporters of the Sandinistas were forced out or resigned as the Sandinistas moved to consolidate their power. The presence of Soviety military personnel and massive Soviet military equipment is of legitimate concern to Nicaragua's neighbours and to the United States.