Reagan Rips Critics of His Latin Policy : Blasts Charges That He Doesn’t Seek Talks as ‘Ridiculous Noises’

President Reagan dispatched special envoy Philip C. Habib to Central America today and said critics who claim that the United States is not interested in negotiating a settlement with Nicaragua “are making ridiculous noises.”

Reagan, fighting an uphill battle for congressional approval of $100 million for anti-government rebels in Nicaragua, said Habib has no plans to stop in that leftist-ruled nation.

“You don’t go where you’re not invited,” Reagan told reporters as he escorted Habib from the White House to a waiting car.

Possibility of Stop

However, he left open the possibility of a stop in Managua. “If there was any benefit and that presented an opportunity (for progress) I am sure that he would (go),” Reagan said.

“I trust in his judgment. If anything comes up that would show there might be any prospect or any profit in doing that, I am sure he would make that decision.”

A spokeswoman for the Nicaraguan Embassy, Sarali Porta, said later: “We have invited the United States many times to talk with us. We are definitely willing to talk to the United States. . . . The United States has never accepted our invitation.”

She added, “If the United States is now sending Mr. Habib to the region, Mr. Habib is definitely welcome to Nicaragua if the Administration honestly wants to negotiate with Nicaragua, wants to sit down and discuss the situation.”

‘Gotten Nowhere’

As for critics who claim the Administration is not really interested in negotiations, Reagan said: “The critics have been making ridiculous noises for a long time and that’s one of the most ridiculous. Nine times we have tried to persuade the Sandinista government to enter into negotiations, and nine times we’ve gotten nowhere.”

Habib, who was to meet later today in El Salvador with President Jose Napoleon Duarte to discuss the prospects for a region-wide peace settlement, will also visit Costa Rica, Honduras and Guatemala.

Habib’s visit represents an effort by Reagan to emphasize his stated willingness to pursue a diplomatic solution to Central America’s problems even as he seeks additional aid to Nicaraguan rebels fighting the Sandinista government.

Vote Expected Next Week

Congress is expected to begin voting next week on Reagan’s request for $70 million in military aid and $30 million in economic aid for the Nicaraguan insurgents.

Last week, Duarte said he would negotiate with leftist rebels fighting his government if Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega agreed to talks with the U.S.-backed contras.

Ruben Zamora, a leader of the Salvadoran insurgents’ political arm, has said he is ready to resume peace talks with the government but rejected Duarte’s proposal that they be linked to developments in Nicaragua.

Ortega also has said he is not willing to discuss peace with the contras. Ortega has consistently maintained that the Nicaraguan insurgency would disappear once it stops receiving U.S. assistance.