NICARAGUA: PRESIDENT ALEMAN & SANDINISTA LEADER DANIEL ORTEGA MEET

(18 Apr 1997) Spanish/Nat

President Arnoldo Aleman and Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega held talks Thursday as public anger grew over disruptive protests against government economic policy.

Aleman and Ortega agreed on three points.

A joint commission will be set up to study a property ownership law, the payment of debts by some 15-thousand producers will be delayed and evictions of peasants will be suspended for three months.

The two sides were to continue discussions Friday.

Daniel Ortega -- the former president who lost a re-election bid to Arnoldo Aleman last year - met his adversary at Aleman's home south of Managua.

They discussed the demonstrations led by the leftist Sandinistas.

The dialogue came on the fourth day of the scattered protests against Aleman's plan for tax and price increases.

Both leaders were satisfied with the results of the meeting.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"We both agree completely that under these circumstances it's only Nicaragua that loses out and we thank God there hasn't been violence nor any citizen has been injured. That through dialogue and communication, agreements can be reached among civilised people. I think it has been positive, we have talked about many issues for the good development of the country. There's not a co-government, he (Ortega) is not asking power for himself, and we have not said either that the country is a cake (we have to share). We are both looking for the best for the majorities and we are heading that way: to give this country stability, progress and to work for those who need it most, and redeem Nicaragua from the economic situation it is in and put it back on track."
SUPER CAPTION: Arnoldo Aleman, Nicaraguan President

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"We have talked, of course, about the property ownership issue, we've talked about many topics but the most important thing is that tomorrow we are going to sit down and talk, the different social groups, myself and the government led by Aleman to look for a solution to the problems.
SUPER CAPTION: Daniel Ortega, F-S-L-N leader

After the meeting, Ortega drove to a nearby roadblock to address his followers.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"These results are the fruit of the goodwill, and most of all, of the sacrifice and willingness to fight of thousands of Nicaraguans --women, children, men and elderly people -- who have taken part and are taking part in these protests ."
SUPER CAPTION: Daniel Ortega, F-S-L-N leader

Aleman and Ortega have agreed on three points.

A joint commission will be set up to study a property ownership law, the payment of debts by some 15-thousand producers will be delayed and evictions of peasants will be suspended for three months.

But protests will continue until they reach a final solution.

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