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“CLINTON ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES FOREIGN AID TO NICARAGUAN CONFISCATORS” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Senate section on pages S12345-S12347 on Aug. 11, 1995.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
CLINTON ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES FOREIGN AID TO NICARAGUAN CONFISCATORS
Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, on July 26, Secretary of State Christopher waived the prohibition on United States foreign aid to the Nicaraguan Government--on what he called national interest grounds--even though the Nicaraguan Government has failed to resolve the claims of properties stolen from Americans. Nicaragua has not resolved even one-
third of the cases involving confiscation of properties owned by American citizens.
In order to comply with United States law, the Government of Nicaragua has four options: First, it can return the properties to the rightful owners, second, compensate the owners, third, develop a viable process to resolve claims, or fourth, submit cases to international arbitration. Despite this considerable statutory latitude, the Nicaraguan Government has nonetheless failed miserably in meeting the criterion required by United States law before any United States aid can properly be provided.
Since November 1994, following elections in which the Democrats lost control of both the United States House and the United States Senate, the Nicaraguan Government did pick up a bit of occasional speed and resolved in 6 months twice as may cases as were resolved in the previous 4 years, proving that the problem is not the Nicaraguan Government's inability to resolve these cases and thereby comply with United States law; no, it is the Nicaraguan regime's unwillingness to do so.
This is a problem of political will. So the Nicaraguans prevailed upon the Clinton administration to bail them out. Secretary of State Christopher dutifully complied so that United States foreign aid would continue to flow to the Chamorro regime which is still largely under the control of the Communist Sandinistas who brought ruin to Nicaragua while they were in control of the government in Managua.
Thus Secretary Christopher and the Clinton administration rewarded Nicaragua, claiming that foreign aid to that country is in the United States national interest.
Mr. President, I have received scores of letters from American citizens whose properties in Nicaragua were confiscated by the Sandinistas. These citizens reject the nonsense that assistance to the Nicaraguan Government is in the national interest of the United States taxpayer. In fact, they assert, it is the height of folly to send further foreign aid to a government that refuses to return their properties to them or fairly compensate them.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that 20 of these letters be printed in the Record at the conclusion of my remarks. The others are available for inspection by anyone desiring to see them.
There being no objection, the letters were ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:
July 31, 1995.Hon. Jesse Helms,Chairman, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Helms: We were appalled to learn of the Waiver to Section 527 of the Department of State Authorization Act exercised by Secretary Warren Christopher.
Progress on the resolution of property claims of U.S. citizens does not justify this waiver, as there are still over one thousand cases after 5 years of the Chamorro Administration.
We urge you to extend our protest to the Department of State.
Sincerely,Peter R. Sengelmann.
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Glendale, CA,
July 31, 1995.Senator Jesse Helms,Senate Foreign Relations Committee.Att: Elizabeth Demoss
Dear Senator Helms: Our American property that was confiscated illegally by the Nicaraguan government in 1979 has not been returned yet. We have done everything they have asked us to do for the last 16 years, and nothing has happened. Just dilatory tactics and lies, pure lies.
As long as we keep giving them money, the American Properties will not ever be returned. Please DO NOT send them any more money. I work very hard to pay my taxes, please do not give them away.
I beg you.
Sincerely yours,Rene Cardenas and Jilma Cardenas.
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Managua, Nicaragua,
August 1, 1995.Mr. Jesse Helms,U.S. Senator, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Helms: I have been learning that you are one of the best friends of the American-Nicaraguan Citizens who were expropriated or confiscated by the Sandinista Government.
This petition is sent to you, asking for your continuous effort to intervene before the U.S. Congress, so that the Nicaraguan government activates the due process of all of the U.S. Citizens who are still awaiting for a favorable resolution of our expropriated properties.
I have been claiming since 1990 and doing what I think I have to do to get my property back. At the moment, I could not find the way to get my problem solved.
Once more, I want to let you know how grateful all American citizens are knowing that you and our Republican party are interested in bringing back the justice to Nicaragua and its people, as well. Thank you for your time and hope for success.
Sincerely yours,Liliana Arguello de Vargas.
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Miama, FL,
July 31, 1995.Hon. Jesse A. Helms,U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator: It is appalling to hear that aid has again been released to the corrupt government of Nicaragua.
My property was stolen from me by the previous Sandinista regime and to date, I have not been able to recover my house. I don't understand how the Clinton administration can continue to send my tax dollars to the thieves that are using what rightfully belongs to me.
I, along with numerous other Americans, feel betrayed by Clinton and his inept people in the Department of State that are contributing to the coverup of the Nicaraguan reality.Charles W. Kettel.
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Key Biscayne, FL,
August 1, 1995.Hon. Jesse Helms,Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Helms: President Clinton's decision to grant a waiver to Nicaragua demonstrates a blatant betrayal to US citizens like myself who have been struggling for the last 17 years to recuperate properties that were confiscated by the Sandinistas and blatantly stolen by Chamorro's government.
This letter is in total support of any legislation that will enable Congress and not the President to have the authority to grant any future aid to Nicaragua. The Clinton Administration has its own agenda and the protection of rights of American citizens is obviously not a part of it. What President Clinton has forgotten is that he in an elected official placed in such office by our votes. His granting this waiver to Nicaragua denotes his blatant disregard for the safety and wellbeing of US citizens abroad. Such move will not only affect him but his entire Democratic Party as well. Hopefully Congress will wake up and realize we are the voters.
Sincerely,Anna Solorzano Rivero.
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Carrollton, TX,
August 1, 1995.Hon. Jesse Helms,U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.Att: Elizabeth deMoss
Dear Senator Helms: My wife and I are among the many U.S. citizens owning property in Nicaragua which has been expropriated by the ex-Sandinista government. We urge you not to support the Clinton administration's attempt to continue aid to that country until it demonstrates a willingness to return these properties to their lawful owners.
Respectfully,William T. Criswell.
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Managua,
August 1, 1995.Hon. Jesse Helms,Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Helms: It is amazing that my Government seems satisfied with the ``progress'' that the Nicaraguan Government said it is doing returning the properties to U.S. citizens living in Nicaragua.
I personally appreciate your efforts and dedication you have given to the problem of American properties in Nicaragua. My Government has to realize that what you are doing is protecting your constituents, as the law requires from every Senator and Congressman of the United States, who have been elected for that purpose.
With my utmost respect,Edith Cohen.
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Pensacola, FL,
August 1, 1995.Hon. Jesse Helms,U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
Dear Senator Helms: I regret to inform you the Nicaraguan Government has not returned my properties after years of worthless red tape, aggravations, and thousands of dollars of expenses. I was in Managua the week of February 27, 1995, met with various Government officials in charge of resolving property claims, and to date nothing has been resolved. I have received promises they are going to look into the claims, and they talk about issuing worthless bonds, which are unacceptable. No Foreign Aid should be given to the Nicaraguan Government till U.S. citizen's properties are returned!
Sincerely,Richard J. Brockmann.
____
Bethesda, MD,
July 31, 1995.Hon. Jesse Helms,Chairman, U.S. Senate, Foreign Relations Committee,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Helms: As a United States citizen, I am writing you as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to request your continued support to resolve the issue of U.S. citizen's property that was illegally confiscated by the Nicaraguan government in 1979.
As an effected party, my request for assistance is clear: Withhold financial aid to Nicaragua until the property of U.S. citizens has been returned or that just, adequate and effective compensation has been provided.
Unfortunately, the Chamorro administration, as did her predecessors, The Sandinista regime, continues to use the property issue as a political tool, disregarding the legal owner's rights in favor of attempting to ``legalize'' the illicit confiscations by them and their political allies.
It is clear that only by denying the aid package can there be any real pressure placed on the Nicaraguan government to proceed to a just resolution of this problem. Until this issue is satisfied there will never be true justice or democracy, weakening their fragile economy and needing more and more aid in the future.
Please continue to use the means that would return the properties back to their rightful owners. I as a U.S. citizen want justice for me and my family.
Sincerely yours,Eduardo J. Seville S.
____
Coconut Grove, FL,
August 2, 1995.Hon. Jesse Helms,U.S. Senate, Chairman, Foreign Relations Committee,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Helms: I am writing to you in response to the distressing news that the U.S. State Department is going to go ahead and give foreign aid to Nicaragua.
As long as there are unresolved property claims of American citizens this aid should not be granted.
I am one of many U.S. citizens that still have such claims against the Government of Nicaragua and I refuse to see my tax money go to that Government.
I know that you will not allow such a misallocation of tax revenue occur.
Sincerely,
Thelma R. Knoepffler.
Altamonte Springs, FL,
August 1, 1995.Hon. Jesse Helms,Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Helms: As an American whose property was confiscated by the Nicaraguan government, I appreciate your continued efforts to stop aid to Nicaragua. It is incredible that hundreds of millions of dollars have been given to a government which confiscated the property of U.S. citizens. Thank you for your work in trying to resolve this issue.
Sincerely,Francisco Jose Somarriba.
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Hattiesburg, MS,
July 31, 1995.Hon. Jesse Helms,Chairman, Senate Foreign Relations Committee,U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Helms: As an American citizen and in light of the decision made by President Clinton to give aid to the government of Nicaragua, I feel outraged and betrayed with such decision. The government of Nicaragua continues to illegally hold American citizens' properties. My property named ``Nagualapa'' continues to be in the hand of a Salvadorian national, with the blessing of the Nicaraguan government, in spite that the Nicaraguan Judiciary court has already ruled on my favor on three occasions. I strongly feel that as long as the Nicaraguan government maintains its position of indifference and refuses to resolve and return the lands to their lawful owners, no aid must be given to this government. Given this aid only sends a message to the current government that they can hold American citizens hostage to the whims of this government and fearful to make any claims on their properties. Allowing this aid is a slap on the face of all law abiding citizens of this great country.
Respectfully yours,Ernestina S. de Arana.
____
Bethesda, MD,
July 31, 1995.Re Waiver to Nicaragua a mockery to United States citizens' rights.Hon. Jesse Helms,Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations,U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Helms: President Clinton's decision to grant a waiver to Nicaragua, a country that has repeatedly shown defiance in returning confiscated properties to U.S. citizens as myself, clearly denotes this administration's ignorance of Nicaraguan politics as well as a lack of respect for the rights of U.S. citizens who have suffered by Chamorro's government.
As stated in previous letters, the Nicaraguan government has not made any efforts at all at resolving claims that have been pending for many years. There is no need for Nicaragua to comply with the devolution of confiscated properties since they know for a fact that not even the United States abides by its own stance of denying aid to countries who confiscate properties of American citizens. If our own government does not follow through, why should they? This is a simple law of behavior, if negative behavior is positively reinforced
(money) why should the negative behavior cease?
I would like to request that Congress and not the President have the authority to grant future waivers to continue foreign aid. President Clinton has consistently demonstrated a profound ignorance in Nicaraguan foreign policy. Unfortunately some of us have to pay dearly for his mistakes. The only consolation is that soon all of us confiscated citizens will certainly know how to vote in the upcoming U.S. presidential elections.
Sincerely,
Patricia Solorzano Sollock,MA, CPC.
____
Managua,
July 31, 1995.Hon. Jesse Helms,Chairman, of Foreign Relations Committee,U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Helms: I have been an American citizen for forty years and my husband is an FSO (Foreign Service Officer) already retired, who worked for the State Department abroad for thirty two years. I was confident that my Government was going to back me in my properties' claim. Even though the Nicaraguan Government gave me the resolution wanting to give me bonds, I did not accept them because they are worthless. My property has illegally been taken (my farm Sapoa) by Eduardo Hollmann Chamorro, nephew of Mrs. Violeta Chamorro, President of Nicaragua.
Thanking you in advance for all you've done for us, American citizens living in Nicaragua, I am,
Respectfully yours,Yolanda Marroquin.
____
Edison, NJ,
July 31, 1995.Hon. Jesse Helms,Chairman, Foreign Relations Committee,U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Helms: Although we don't oppose humanitarian aid to the Nicaraguan people, we do object to illegal steps taken by the Administration in granting U.S. aid to the Nicaraguan Government in contradiction to U.S. legislative measures previously taken. Moreover, no verification has been made regarding the pre-requisite set by U.S. Congress to that aid. We not only appreciate but also support wholeheartedly hour fight on behalf of the property rights of Americans in Nicaragua, whose assets have been illegally taken or confiscated.
Very truly yours,Emmade Lugo
____
Manauga,
July 31, 1995.Hon. Jesse Helms,Chairman, Foreign Relations Committee,U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Helms: In view of the illegal and unwarranted action taken by the Administration, granting additional help to the Government of Nicaragua, in violation of the terms of the Gonzalez-Helms Amendment to Section 527, I protest against that action and demand that the U.S. Government properly defend the human rights of hundreds of American citizens whose properties have been illegally taken and/or confiscated by the Government of Nicaragua without proper and adequate compensation.
We greatly appreciate all your noble efforts and urge you to go on working and fighting for your fellow Americans.
Respectfully yours,
Clarisa C. DeReed.
[[Page S 12347]]
Managua,
July 30, 1995.Hon. Jesse Helms,Chairman, Foreign Relations Committee,U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Helms: How can my Government give aid to the Nicaraguan Government when most of the properties of U.S. citizens in Nicargua have not been returned?
I am not opposed to the aid to Nicaragua, but before that aid is given, my Government should be more responsible and make it its business to find out the truth regarding the return of the properties of U.S. citizens.
Thanking you and your staff for all the help and support you have given us, I remain
Sincerly yours,Paul H. Gulke.
____
San Francisco, CA,
July 31, 1995.Re your letter February 21, 1995.
Hon. Jesse Helms,Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Helms: The Chamorro-Sandinista government in Nicaragua has been unable to resolve my property claim. The government confiscated my properties for the only reason of being an American citizen living in this country since 1970. The following is a list of property claims I have against the Nicaraguan Government.
1.--Urban lot, part of the urban farm commonly known as
``La China'' with an extension of 27,914.69 varas cuadradas and registered with number 33448, Tomo CDLV, Folio 99/100 asiento 2;
2.--Urban lot, part of the urban farm commonly known as
``La China'' with an extension of 65,134.89 varas cuadradas and registered with number 33448, Tomo CDLV, Folio 92 asiento 30;
3.--Vacant lot located on Barrio Bolonia, olla El Nogal
#167, registered with #51576, Tomo DCCLXV, folio 122 asiento 3; and
4.--House located in barrio Monsenor Lazcano, registered with #37750, Tomo DIV, folio 228, asiento 1.
Senator Helms stand firm. U.S. aid should not be given to Nicaragua until all property claims are solved in a just manner.
Sincerely,Clotilde Carcamo.
____
Managua,
August 1, 1995.Hon. Jesse Helms,Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Helms: We have been astonished to find out that the Nicaraguan Government is receiving United States help, despite their noncompliance to the US Congress mandate to protect and defend all US citizen's property.
This petition is being sent to you, asking for your continuous effort to intervene before the US Congress, so that the Nicaraguan Government activates the due process of all the US citizens, who are still waiting for a favorable resolution of their confiscated properties.
You, and your Republican colleagues are the only ones interested in helping American Citizen, confiscated by the Nicaraguan Sandinista Government. Once more, we respectfully ask you, for your help and support.
After five years of continuous to recuperate our inherited assets, up to now, has not been any success for a positive resolution. Please help us in this regard.
Sincerely yours,Segundo J. Montoya.Agnes Montoya.
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Managua,
July 31, 1995.Hon. Jesse Helms,Chairman, Foreign Relations Committee,U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Helms: We challenge the appropriateness of the Administration's action, relinquishing US aid funds to the Government of Nicaragua, since it has not been met the requirement established by US law, as to the return of American properties taken or confiscated by the Government of Nicaragua, or adequate compensation being afforded to American citizens. You and the supporters of the Gonzalez-Helms Amendment are the only ones to defend the rights of American citizens in Nicaragua and for this reason we entirely back your position and action in this matter.
Respectfully and gratefully yours,
Valeria Romion L.
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