Nicaragua Chamorro Takes a Chance Was the newly inaugurated President right to retain Sandinista commander Humberto Ortega as head of the armed forces?

By John Moody/Managua

Resplendent in uniform, four gold stars on each shoulder, General Humberto Ortega looked out of place in the sea of tuxedoes and flowing gowns at the inauguration-night fiesta. Yet thanks to his rank, Ortega was very much on the inside of President Violeta Chamorro's government.

The new Nicaraguan leader's decision to retain him shook the hours-old administration. When they learned that Daniel Ortega's younger brother, one of the ruling Sandinista comandantes for ten years, would temporarily head the armed forces, two able men Chamorro had tapped as Cabinet Ministers backed out. The move also angered leaders of 10,000 armed contra rebels lurking in the hills, who accused the President of breaking her promise to strip Humberto of his stripes.

The decision caused heartburn in Washington too. Assistant Secretary of State Bernard Aronson warned that keeping Ortega in uniform might endanger a $300 million U.S. aid package. By last week, however, the threats had melted. Said a State Department official: "We have micromanaged opposition politics there for so long that it's hard for us to let go. There are good pro and con arguments for what she's done."

The pro arguments look stronger than the con. The best reason for keeping Ortega is that it may silence the Sandinistas. Sulky after their electoral thrashing in February, the comandantes ordered public employees to strike and sent thugs to chant outside Chamorro's home. But with one of their own running the army, they have reason to act responsibly.

Naturally the Defense Minister who led the fight against the contras for a decade is distrusted by the majority who elected Chamorro. But last week Humberto was a model of piety. "I am here in a provisional capacity," he said. "Decisions regarding our ((military)) institution are made by the current President."

In fact, Chamorro had her arm twisted by her savvy son-in-law Antonio Lacayo, who met almost daily with Humberto to discuss the transfer of power. Lacayo convinced the President that the Sandinistas, if ignored, would create major problems. To placate them, she would be wise to keep Humberto on board.

The general's presence until June, when the contras have promised to demobilize, may be the best guarantee that they will disarm. But Ortega will also have the job of gutting the army from 70,000 men to around 20,000. His credentials should help, as long as he obeys orders. Who else could bloodlessly throw seasoned party fighters out of work and make those who remain respect civilian authority?

Gilberto Cuadra, who refused to be Transportation Minister after learning of Ortega's appointment, cannot forgive Chamorro. Says he: "We know how they act. I'd rather not get in a cage with a tiger that eats everyone who's been inside." Chamorro had rejected that understandable fear in favor of the larger goal of reconciliation. But she and her advisers must be on the lookout for betrayal, and if it occurs, Humberto Ortega will arrive at his next cocktail party in civvies.