The World - News from March 3, 1988

Nicaraguan Cardinal Miguel Obando y Bravo, mediator in peace talks between the Sandinista government and U.S.-backed Contras, said negotiations will resume March 9-11 in Guatemala, despite criticism from Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega. In a letter to Ortega, Obando said that despite difficulties--most of which he blamed on the Sandinistas--”we are disposed to continue serving our people in this role of mediator.” He said Ortega was “badly informed” over the events that led to the abrupt suspension of face-to-face peace talks in Guatemala two weeks ago. Obando’s letter was the latest in a series of exchanges with Ortega in which each has blamed the other for the breakdown.