Open letter from the US peace movement
to the voters of Nicaragua
We, the undersigned US citizens, wish to express our grave disapproval of
our government's current attempts to influence and undermine the outcome of
the upcoming national elections in Nicaragua. We are well aware of the fact
that the US government, through the embassy in Managua, is engaged in a campaign
to strike fear in the hearts of Nicaraguan voters so as to ensure that candidates
favorable to its interests are elected in November.
We feel compelled as US citizens --- some of us Congressional leaders, clergy,
educators, entertainers, trade unionists and social activists --- to share
our belief with the Nicaraguan people that this intervention in the sovereign
elections is simply wrong. We hereby protest the reckless, dangerous and arrogant
actions of our government. The US government has no right to try to influence
or determine the outcome of the Nicaraguan elections, just as it had no legal
or moral right to militarily intervene in Nicaragua during the 1980s. The
US is now trying to raise the specter of such past intervention to scare Nicaraguans
into voting the way it wishes. Regardless of whom you may choose in November,
we shall stand with you in supporting this choice and opposing any attempt
of the US to intervene to alter that choice.
We, just as the majority of Americans, wish you peace, security, prosperity
and sovereignty, and we will do all in our power to deter the US government
from denying you any of these. Every Nicaraguan must have the democratic right
to vote for the candidate and party of his/her choice!
Thomas J. Gumbleton, Auxiliary Bishop, Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit
Retired Bishop H. Coleman McGhee, Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
Edward Asner, actor
Former Attorney General Ramsey Clark
Father Daniel Berrigan, SJ
Quixote Center
Dan Kovalik, United Steelworkers of America
Nicaragua Network
(plus a number of other activists and organizations)
