Soviets Promise to Supply 80-90% of Nicaragua’s Oil
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MANAGUA, Nicaragua — The Soviet Union has promised to supply leftist Nicaragua with 80% to 90% of its oil needs this year, President Daniel Ortega announced on his return from a 14-nation tour.
Ortega, who came home late Monday night with expressions of support from virtually every country he visited, declined to disclose how much economic help he was given.
“This is not the right time to inform about the total amount,” he said.
Government sources had said Ortega went to Moscow in hopes of getting $200 million in economic aid. Nicaragua needs 15,000 barrels of oil each day, and the amount promised by the Soviet Union would be close to the $200 million figure in value.
Ortega started his trip April 26, days before President Reagan announced a U.S. trade embargo against Nicaragua and just after Congress refused to vote $14 million in funds for the contra rebels.
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