Economic Progress Seen as Key to Latin Peace

CARTAGENA, Colombia —  Central America is a victim of East-West tension and needs economic development to overcome its conflicts, Colombia’s president said Saturday at the opening of an eight-nation meeting on efforts for Latin peace.

“Central America appears as a victim of the bipolarity of power in the world,” President Belisario Betancur said, adding, “We consider it urgent to halt the arms race, to forbid foreign intervention in the area in all its manifestations and to prevent actions aimed at destabilizing the governments of the region.”

The two-day meeting at this northern Colombian city is aimed at broadening support for the Contadora Group--Mexico, Panama, Colombia and Venezuela--which has been trying to find a formula for peace in Central America since it first met in 1983 on the Panamanian island of Contadora. This is the first meeting between the Contadora nations and a newly formed support group of Brazil, Peru, Uruguay and Argentina.

In his comments, Betancur recognized the fragile nature of Latin peace efforts, saying, “Unfortunately, in the last months tensions as well as attempts at foreign intervention have worsened and demand a greater commitment from the countries of Latin America.”

However, he added, “We are advancing towards peace. Recent events confirm it and the process is in its final stage.”

Despite Betancur’s basically upbeat assessment, the obstacles faced by the Contadora Group have hardened in the last year as discussions approach the central issue of the military balance in Central America. Diplomatic sources said the meeting is expected to criticize U.S. pressure on Nicaragua, seen by Washington as a destabilizing Communist force in the region.