February 28, 1990

Do-It-Yourself Democracy

Now begins the unanswerable debate-which came first, the Sandinista chicken or the Contra egg?

Former President Ronald Reagan, and most Republicans, credit the “freedom fighters” with forcing Commandante Daniel Ortega to a democratic election in Nicaragua.

Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, and most Democrats, contend the “peace process” launched by Costa Rica President Oscar Arias brought the ten-year war to an end.

The fact is, both approaches were important to the apparent conclusion of warfare between communist and democratic forces in Nicaragua.

Though military opposition in Nicaragua did not achieve a clear-cut victory, it halted the Marxist steamroller until political and economic pressures could come to bear.

The face-saving plan offered by Arias gave Ortega an opportunity to either legitimize his revolution or retreat from a failed social experiment.

Arias demanded that the Contras lay down their arms and gather in enclaves surrounded by armed Sandinistas. Congressional doves cut off even humanitarian aid to the Contras in an effort to starve them into submission.

It should be noted that the Contras refused to surrender and kept military pressure on the Sandinistas up to the last day of campaign speeches.

Violeta Barrios de Chamorro, 60 year-old newspaper publisher, and her National Opposition Union won big at the polls. She immediately announced plans to halt the export of weapons to Marxist guerillas in El Salvador and Guatemala.

Ortega conceded defeat graciously. It now remains to be seen if the Nicaragua army, national police, and Sandinista militia will bow to a new regime that campaigned on a promise to demobilize them.

The conciliatory attitude of Ortega is claimed to be the result of persuasive “negotiation” by Arias and other Central American presidents.

We are willing to accept this premise inasmuch as the outcome is peaceful - so far. Nevertheless, we suspect the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the deplorable economic condition at home was the prime inspiration for a meek Ortega.

Nicaragua is rated the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere - even below Haiti. The jig is up and now is the time to jump ship.

The margin of Chamorro’s victory is impressive even by American landslide standards - 55 percent to Ortega’s 41 percent. The voter turnout was better than 90 percent, in comparison with a good U.S. election participation of barely 50 percent.

The result is a clear mandate for democracy, private property, and free markets.

Former President Jimmy Carter deserves kudos for his part in helping ensure a fair election and keeping the lid on violence during the bitterly fought Nicaragua political campaign.

Carter was consulted by both sides about how to conduct their campaigns and provide a peaceful transition.

At his suggestion, Chamorro and Ortega asked their supporters not to demonstrate over the outcome. Consequently both sides accepted the results calmly - unusual for Central Americans.

With a successful, democratic election completed under Carter’s auspices, he emerges in a new light - a “statesman” trusted by both sides of a disagreement.

He was ridiculed for being a born-again Christian and a consensus builder rather than a bold leader. Yet, these qualities are admirable in a peacemaker.

Carter has found a significant niche for his talents - first made evident in the Camp David Accords that he arranged between Israel and Egypt.

Having been instrumental in driving the Sandinistas from office, the United States is beholden to lead the Nicaragua rescue effort. The last ruble has gone to the brothers Ortega.

The European nations that poured money into Nicaragua now are more interested in investing with their former communist neighbors.

The U.S., likewise, is obligated to put Eastern Europe back on its feet. Realistically, former communist nations cannot rely on the U.S. for massive financial aid. Whatever we give to anyone will have to be borrowed from Japan and Saudi Arabia.

The future for do-it-yourself democracy is promising, but the road ahead is rocky.

By Lindsey Wilger Williams, retired newspaper publisher and syndicated columnist