berman@ihuxm.UUCP (08/23/83)
I agree with several others who have noted that the recent Playboy interview with the Nicarguan leaders is refreshing. It is clear that they sincerely do want good relations with the U.S. and are careful to distinguish between the hostile actions of the Reagan government and their genuine liking for the American people. Kenneth Almquist's comment that they are "teaching school children that America and Americans are hateful" is the kind of Neanderthal remark that bears so little resembleance to truth that it warrents little comment. It does reflect well upon the desperate need in some quarters to create fantasies to justify the very hostile actions of our government against Nicaragua. A friend of mine recently returned from there says that the place is crawling with Americans (tourists, reporters, etc) who are almost universally accepted warmly and with friendship. US music, movies, TV programs are popular, and they follow the baseball races with great fanaticism. At the same time, he says, determination to fight US-backed counter-revolutionaries or (hopefully never) US troops, is felt strongly by nearly everyone. Check out the Playboay Interview. Andy Berman