REPORT SEES 'PROXY FORCE MENTALITY' IN CONTRAS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00965R000605040039-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 20, 2013
• Sequence Number: 39
• Publication Date: February 26, 1986
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

I Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/20: CIA 'RDP90-00965R000605040039-8
Rl 26 February 1986
REPORT SEES 'PROXY FORCE MENTALITY' IN CONTRAS
BY ROBERT PARRY
WASHINGTON
Nicaraguan insurgents fighting the leftist Sandinista government still suffer
from a "proxy force mentality" and lack of effective leadership that, if not
corrected, could make increased U.S. aid futile, according to a study prepared
by two supporters of the Contras.
The eight-page paper, entitled "From a Proxy Force to a National Liberation
Movement,". says that to challenge the Soviet-supplied Nicaraguan army, the
rebels need anti-aircraft missiles and other sophisticated weapons from the
United States along with expert training in how to use them.
But the report says the Contra rebels also must broaden their political base
by developing ties to the country's internal opposition and seeking diplomatic
support.
"It would be the most profound irresponsibility to train and equip guerrilla
fighters for a mission that is essentially futile," it said. "So long as their
military operations rest upon so narrow a political base, the capacities of the
insurgents will be gravely weakened."
The report is being circulated at top levels of the United Nicaraguan
Opposition, UNO, the rebels' chief umbrella group, and within the Reagan
administration, which is asking Congress for $100 million in aid, about 70
percent of it in the form of military assistance, to the rebels.
It was written by Bruce Cameron, a former congressional aide who played an
important behind-the-scenes role in winning non-lec-'al aid for the rebels last
year, and Penn tremble, who works with PRODEMCA, a private group that has
administered federal grants in Central America. -
The report's assessments conform with the views of many Nicaraguan exiles wnc
complain that UNO has failed to resolve the deep divisions that have plagued thR
Contra war effort. One well-placed administration official, who insisted on
anonymity, described the report's observations as 'cr the mark."
Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, h
said UNO must prove "it is the legitimate political leader of the Contras" for
Reagan's $100 million a-id request to have any hope in Congress.
The independent report, however, argues that the Contra movement needs,
overhaul before it can mount a serious challenge to the Sandinista government.
"The 'proxy force' mentality lingers an in the insurgents' leadership _ a
mentality that leads to caution, dependency and, perhaps, the unspoken
expectation that sooner or later their U.S. patron will come in to do the job
itself," the report said.
It also criticizes the command structure of the CIA -organized Nicaraguan
Democratic Force, FDN, the largest rebel army, as "still heavily influenced by
figures from Nicaragua's old order.." The report adds that the Contras' "lack of
technical competency" makes supplying large numbers of, sophisticated weapons
difficult.
Continued
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/20: CIA-RDP90-00965R000605040039-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/20: CIA-RDP90-00965R000605040039-8
The Contras also have failed to merge their effort with political opposition
forces still inside Nicaragua, the report said.
"It is not so much that the U.S. supports the insurgency, as it is that' the
insurgency is a creature of the U.S.," it said.
Cameron and Vemble recommended that the Contras "strengthen the democratic
character" of the movement, giving UN0's civilian leadership "full and effective
command over all military forces and political activities."
They also say rebel forces operating near the Costa Rican border should be
brought "into a close working relationship with UNO," which now is dominated by
the Honduran-based FDN. They add that the Contras respect for human rights "must
begin in earnest."
Further, the report suggests "a high-level, bipartisan and broadly
representative citizens' commission to act as a liaison agency between tI"2e
United States and Nicaragua's insurgents."
While noting that the Contras need anti-aircraft missiles and other
sophisticated military hardware to challenge the Sandinista army, the report
adds that "as it stands today, it seems unlikely that the resistance can acnieve
much against the Sandinistas, even with substantial U.S. military assistance."
"But if military assistance is given and at the same time firm'steps are
taken to strengthen the social and political character of the resistance and to
overcome its diplomatic isolation, its prospects will be greatly improved antj
military assistance can be justified," it said.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/20: CIA-RDP90-00965R000605040039-8