reduced to cinders. * On 24 July, a force of about 100 counter-revolutionaries crossed the anu allacked une lown or san rrancisco del Norte in Chinandega Province.
Belgian rites. small mortars, the attackers besieged the town for two and a half hours, members in battle and capturing three others ana slashing their throats in the town's plaza Eight more militia members were also captured ana araggea across the border before Nicaraguan troops could arrive to provide reinforcements. * On 27 July, a second aerial bombing attempt ly oil refinery, on the western edge of Managua.
Honduran border Armed with M79 granade launchers, and Kulling 1t multia by FSLN loader Tomás Borge be driven off by anti-aircratt fire and planes from Nicaragua's small air force. Destruction of the refinery not only would have been a devastating blow to the country's economy, but the resulting fires and explosions could have killed thousands of Managua residents.
Besides these attacks, Coordinator Daniel Ortega made known in his address to an anniversary day rally of 100,000 in Masaya that the armed forces and Ministry of the Interior had thwarted a large-scale plan the counter-revolutionaries Atlantic Coast port of Puerto Cabezas and the new Miskitu Indian settlements at Tasba Pry.
Behind all these attacks stands the Reagan presented Security paramilitary Nicaraguan Junta do Honduran border.
of the to seize the revolutionary troops, operating camps.
last November and subsequently OK'd by Reagan. According to an ac count published in the Washington Post last 10 March, at least $19 million was allocated, anc the CIA was directed to begin to build and fund force OI uD lo 500 Latin Americans, who are to operate out of commanspread along the It is now clear that this was but the thin edge wedge. 5,000 organised in large units and possesing sophisticated weapons, are now out of the southern Moreover, the direct US forced us to realise the inevitable. against Nicaragua.
Nationa.
people no August, the Sandinista and neighborhoods.
counterHonduras the Miami Herald, 'All of these elements have The United States is fortifying Honduras for a first strike The mounting attacks leave the Nicaraguan choice but to strengthen their defenses and prepare for full-scale war. On 14 government ordered militia units to report within ten days for intensive training. The Sandinista People's Army remains fully mobilised. Civil defense prépara. tions are under way in all factories, schools The July air raids against oil installations pointed up Nicaragua's vulnerability in face of the Honduran air force, the most advanced in with a dozen French SuperMystère fighters. Honduras is also scheduled to receive six US A-37 light-attack aircraft and is reportedly seeking US F-5 fighter jets as well