Grapevine: Jun. 4, 1990

DEPARTING IS SUCH SWEET SORROW. Members of Violeta Chamorro's new government in Nicaragua keep finding little surprises bequeathed to them by the defeated Sandinistas. Some offices have been stripped of everything but the nails on which pictures once hung. The new Minister of Communications searched his premises in vain for accounting ledgers; he did discover a contract for the purchase of 22 new Toyotas, for $392,000, all apparently driven off by army members. The incoming mayor of Managua learned that $52,192.53 was distributed as bonuses to six employees, some of whom quit promptly when he took office. The pilfering has been...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!