Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio: Dan Rather) Report introduced.

(DC: Juan Vasquez) Nicaraguan president Dan. Ortega and long-time critic Cardinal Miguel Obando y Bravo shown shaking hands in DC. Representative Jim Wright also shown and mentioned as having met with Ortega and Obando. Ortega's plan for Nicaraguan cease-fire noted. [ORTEGA - (thru translator) says the US should trust Nicaragua because of this proposal for peace.] Ortega's proposal graphically illustrated. United States government's caution noted. [State Department spokesperson Charles REDMAN - says the Reagan administration will talk in a regional setting if peace proposal is in earnest.] Arms negotiator Paul Warnke shown at mtg. with Ortega, Obando and Wright. [OBANDO y Bravo - (thru translator) says he is participating in meeting because he wants peace.] Ortega shown visiting Vietnam War Memorial. Contra leaders asserting they want to meet only in Central American because it is a Central American war mentioned.

(DC: Terence Smith) President Reagan said not expected to comment on Sandinista proposal. White House aides not approving of Representative Jim Wright's involvement in meeting noted. White House spokesperson Marlin Fitzwater's comment regarding Wright's actions quoted on screen. [Secretary of State George SHULTZ - says the time is not right for direct talks with Nicaragua.] [State. Department spokesperson Charles REDMAN - says Jim Wright's actions are unknown.] Wright's failure to inform Shultz that he was planning to meet with Ortega and mediator discussed. [WRIGHT - says when he told Shultz later of his plans to meet with Ortega and the mediator he was not disapproving.] [Senator John McCAIN - says Wright is showing more attention to the Sandinistas than to the Contras. Democrats criticism of Reagan administration's handling of situation noted. [Senator Christopher DODD - defends Wright.] White House official's comment about how United States should not be in the midst of these talks quoted.

(Studio: Dan Rather) [Representative Jim WRIGHT - asserts that he was asked by Nicaraguan president Ortega to help with peace plans; mentions White House officials' criticism of himself and President Reagan's lack of criticism; notes Democrat colleague's disapproval of his actions.]