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While few delegates disputed that statement, several contradicted Shultz's claim that there is mounting sympathy in Latin America for the confrontational U.S. policy of support for the contras. "The United States insists on using force, and we reject force," complained a diplomat at the meeting. Luis Gonzales Posada, Peru's Ambassador to the OAS, said U.S. support for the rebels "makes the situation worse." Meanwhile Miguel d'Escoto, Nicaragua's Foreign Minister, charged that the "colossus from the north" was the cause of the "problem in Central America and the problems in Latin America." His deputy, Victor Hugo Tinoco, warned that as a result of U.S. intervention in the region, the danger of a war between Nicaragua and Honduras was growing.
News trickled out last week of major skirmishes in the part of Honduras that juts into Nicaragua's northern Jinotega province. According to Western intelligence officials in Central America, fighting raged for three days during the last week of October, involving roughly 500 Sandinista and 500 rebel soldiers. In the first significant battle since last March, dozens were left dead and at least 100 were wounded. There was also confirmation last week of two contra ambushes in central Nicaragua during the first week of November that killed ten people, including Alfonso Nunez Rodriguez, a prominent Sandinista peasant organizer.
Some Nicaraguans, however, remained preoccupied with the fate of Hasenfus. People who lingered outside the sweltering courtroom during the trial demonstrated surprising sympathy for the somber American and his shy wife Sally. Sandinista officials also showed concern. "Eugene Hasenfus is not responsible for the American policy," said a high-ranking Sandinista. "It is in our interest to concentrate more on issues and less on the individual. He is not a cause but a symptom."
The official held out some hope that the couple's ordeal would quickly end. "Christmas is a time for pardons. It is a tradition here," he said. "Leniency can and should be expected. Nicaragua is not out for revenge." Other officials were less generous. "He should get 30 years in prison," said Comandante Victor Tirado Lopez. Last week El Nuevo Diario, a progovernment newspaper, quoted an official as saying, "The possibility that Soldier of Fortune Eugene Hasenfus will be pardoned in the short term by the Sandinista government is practically nil."
There is now vague talk of a "Wisconsin solution." Nicaraguan Vice President Sergio Ramirez may travel this week to Wisconsin, which has been Nicaragua's sister state since the early '60s and happens to be Hasenfus' home state as well. The hope is that some sisterly arrangement can be worked out so that Hasenfus will be back in Wisconsin for Christmas.