H-4712              _______________________________________________

                                           HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL NO. 4042

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1988 Regular Session

By Representatives Nelson, Crane, Wineberry, Spanel, Belcher, Armstrong, K. Wilson, Cole, Basich, Leonard, Lux, Rust, Unsoeld, Anderson, Wang, Fisher, Jones, Brekke, P. King, Valle and Todd

Read first time 2/1/88 and referred to Committee on State Government.

TO THE HONORABLE RONALD REAGAN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED:

          We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

WHEREAS, Nicaragua was the first of the five Central American States to carry out the various steps required for compliance to the Central American (Arias) peace plan; and

          WHEREAS, Nicaragua has lifted its state of emergency declaration; and

          WHEREAS, Over forty thousand Nicaraguans have already lost their lives due to the incursions of the United States-supported Contra forces; and

          WHEREAS, People of other nationalities have also been killed by the Contras including Benjamin Linder, a University of Washington graduate engineer; and

          WHEREAS, The Arias Plan specifically states that cessation of aid to irregular forces such as the Contras is an indispensable part of the peace plan process; and

          WHEREAS, Nicaragua finds itself in a similar position to the United States at the time of its revolution vis-a-vis the Tory opposition; and

          WHEREAS, Nicaragua has stated its desire to reintegrate the Contra forces into civilian life in their own country if they so desire; and

          WHEREAS, Nicaragua desires a positive and mutually beneficial economic relationship with the United States; and

          WHEREAS, Congress is to be presented with a bill to vote additional funds for the Contras on or about February 3, 1988; and

          WHEREAS, Such funds as will be voted on could be used instead to promote better social conditions in the United States; and

          WHEREAS, Lifting of the United States' embargo on Nicaraguan trade will likely be of economic benefit to the state of Washington;

          NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that Congress oppose any measure that will further aid the Contra forces whether lethal or "humanitarian" and whether administered directly or through other parties.

          BE IT RESOLVED, That there be immediate normalization of trade relations with the sovereign state of Nicaragua; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Ronald Reagan, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.