Ortega Cancels Cease-Fire; ‘Deplorable’: White House : He Wants to Block Vote, U.S. Claims

MANAGUA, Nicaragua —  President Daniel Ortega today ended a 19-month cease-fire in the war against U.S.-backed Contras, but rebel commanders ordered their troops to avoid combat with the Sandinista army.

In Washington, the Bush Administration condemned the move as “deplorable” but steered clear of calling for renewing military aid to the anti-Sandinista rebels.

“We are going to continue defending Nicaragua, and we are not going to approve the cease-fire,” an emotional Ortega told a news conference.

“We have a responsibility to protect the lives of Nicaraguans. We cannot permit crimes to continue being committed against the Nicaraguan people,” he said.

In Tegucigalpa, Honduras, the Nicaraguan rebel leadership ordered its troops inside Nicaragua to avoid combat with the Sandinistas.

“They have orders to maintain the cease-fire and avoid offensive action because they don’t have the capacity to confront the Sandinista regime,” Contra military leader Enrique Bermudez told a reporter.

The White House said the Nicaraguan decision appeared aimed at undercutting plans for February elections.

“His deplorable action . . . is an affront to the hemisphere and the democratic traditions we hold important,” presidential spokesman Marlin Fitzwater told reporters.

It is “obvious that (Ortega) is afraid of the ballot box,” Fitzwater said.

Pressed on whether the Administration might consider asking Congress anew to rearm the rebels, Fitzwater said, “We are evaluating the entire situation, but we do not think it’s appropriate to speculate on military assistance.”

He said President Bush has been in contact with other leaders in the hemisphere. He declined to name them.

A State Department official earlier said Washington was waiting to see if the Sandinistas intensify attacks against the Contras.

“We’re certainly not pleased,” said the official, who asked not to be identified. “But we have to see what he (Ortega) really intends to do.”

In Miami, Contra leader Adolfo Calero said Ortega’s suspension of the cease-fire was a ploy designed to pave the way for the cancellation of elections scheduled for next February.

A unilateral “halt to offensive operations,” renewed by the Sandinista government every month since April last year, expired at midnight Tuesday and was not renewed.

A government statement said the cease-fire could be renewed if the Contras stopped armed action inside Nicaragua and if the rebels were systematically disbanded.

Ortega said Nicaragua had made every effort to bring about peace, “but the U.S. government insists on a policy of war against Nicaragua.”

Ortega’s action followed a sharp rise in Contra attacks, which the government says jeopardize the campaign leading to the general elections in February.

Central American presidents agreed in August on a plan to disband the Honduran-based Contras by Dec. 5, but the deadline appears unlikely to be met. Nicaragua accuses the United States of obstructing the plan.

Congress cut military aid to the Contras in February, 1988, but has maintained humanitarian aid.