Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 100 Part 2.djvu/977

 PUBLIC LAW 99-500—OCT. 18, 1986

100 STAT. 1783-296

racies as well as assistance for the Nicaraguan democratic resistance, subject to the terms and conditions of title. POLICY TOWARD CENTRAL AMERICA

SEC. 202. (a) It is the policy of the United States that— (1) the building of democracy, the restoration of peace, economic development, the improvement of living conditions, and the application of equal justice under law in Central America are important to the interests of the United States and the community of American States; (2) the interrelated issues of social and human progress, economic growth, political reform, and regional security must be effectively dealt with to assure a democratic and economically and politically secure Central America; and (3) the September 1983 Contadora Document of Objectives, which sets forth a framework for negotiating a peaceful settlement to the conflict and turmoil in the region, is to be encouraged and supported. (b) The United States strongly supports as essential to the objectives set forth in subsection (a)— (1) a long-term commitment of economic assistance to the Central American democracies in amounts recommended by the National Bipartisan Commission on Central America; (2) national reconciliation in Nicaragua and the creation of a framework for negotiating a peaceful, democratic settlement to the Nicaraguan conflict; and (3) efforts to reach a comprehensive and verifiable final agreement based on the Contadora Document of Objectives, including efforts to encourage the Government of Nicaragua to pursue a dialogue with the representatives of all elements of the Nicaraguan democratic opposition for the purpose of achieving a democratic political settlement of the conflict, including free and fair elections. POLICY TOWARD THE GOVERNMENT OF NICARAGUA

SEC. 203. (a) United States policy toward the Government of Nicaragua shall be based upon that government's responsiveness to continuing concerns affecting the national security of the United States and Nicaragua's neighbors about— (1) Nicaragua's close military and security ties to Cuba and the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies including the • presence in Nicaragua of military and security personnel from those countries and allies; (2) Nicaragua's buildup of military forces in numbers disproportionate to those of its neighbors and equipped with sophisticated weapons systems and facilities designed to accommodate even more advanced equipment; (3) Nicaragua's unlawful support for armed subversion and terrorism directed against the democratically elected govern? ments of other countries; (4) Nicaragua's internal repression and lack of opportunity for the exercise of civil and political rights which would allow the people of Nicaragua to have a meaningful voice in determining the policies of their government through participation in

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