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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, AUGUST 5, 1983
PAGE 11
winning, they say: 'Victory or death.' When they are losing they say they
will negotiate."
The August 8 U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT said this about the perceived purpose
of the military show of force:
Since May, there have been growing fears in the White House that
Cuba and Nicaragua are preparing to mount an attack against
Honduras.
That country is the main base for anti-Sandinista
guerrillas supported by the CIA and a major center for training
Salvadoran Army recruits•..• The White House, with its military
moves in Central America, is telling the Cubans and Nicaraguans
that an attack on Honduras now would involve the inescapable risk
of conflict with American forces.
What is actually in the cards involves far more than brief exer
cises by U.S. armed forces. The administration is planning a
dramatic expansion of America's military presence over the next
six months, with upward of 16,500 soldiers, sailors, marines and
airmen taking part.
In addition, an infrastructure is being
developed that would facilitate quick intervention by U.S.
forces in the future••••
The twin naval exercises are intended to remind Cuban and Nicara
guan leaders, as well as America's friends in the area, of the
enormity of U.S. military power. Mock blockade operations re
portedly are on the program. When these maneuvers are completed,
the plan is to have other warships transit these waters to main
tain at least a token U.S. naval presence there on a continuing
basis.
NEWSWEEK magazine, in its August 8 issue opined that the move is a gamble
and that the enemy will not choose to fight and that President Reagan will
not suffer politically for dragging the country into war.
In the end, according to [ one ] adviser to the president, Reagan
decided on his latest Central America moves simply to do some
thing--to project an image of mastery and momentum. The gamble
was on a two-punch effect, in which a tough show of strength
would encourage the Sandinistas and the Cubans to negotiate, thus
making it easier for the Kissinger commission to pursue long
range solutions to the region's problems.
In its July 28 lead editorial entitled "Uncertain Trumpet," the WALL STREET
JOURNAL found fault not with the show-of-force, but the manner in which
President Reagan, in his July 26 news conference, appeared to downplay its
obvious seriousness. Not only Congress, but even the "hawkish" Administra
tion seems to be motivated by fear.
••• The administration is afraid.... It fears that if it talks too
tough, people out there will think it bellicose•.•. This low es
timate of the American people becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
It is impossible for a president to build public support for his
policies, especially foreign policy, unless he tells people
straight out what he wants and asks them to stand behind it. And
if the president cannot gather such support, U.S. policy will be