'WHAT happens in Latin America and the Caribbean will not only affect our nation, but will also shape America's image throughout the world. If we cannot act SO decisively close home, who will believe us anywhere?'.
Thus spoke President Reagan when addressing rally of Cuban exiles in Miami on 20 May.
Reagan's speech came at a time of mounting right wing clamour in the United States for stepped up involvement in Central America, and when there Is ulsturoing evidence thal the United States is more deeply involved in the fighting than hitherto acknowieuged.
On 24 May the New York Times revealed details of missions being carried the Howard Air Force Base in Panama.
An American pilot who was recently stationed at Howard described four huge C130 cargo planes there, equipped with electronic surveilequipment and millimeter cannon.
Planes He said that the four nearly every night, and returned often with their ammunition spent.
The air crews did not wear uniforms or insignia but were almost certainly mechanic who worked on the planes indicated that the gun barrels had to be replaced almost daily, a sure indication of heavy firing.
The article indicated that the Howard Base was 'swarming' with aircraft taking equipment to Honduras El Salvador.
assumption must be that in the Course of nightime deliveries the US planes take the opportunity to launch aerial attacks guerrillas El Salvador, the Nicaraguan border. Activity The activity out of Panama is just one arm of the US war effort against Nicaragua and the FLMN in Salvador.
The US military commitment to Honduras has been rapidly escalating.
An electronic surveillance Dast Is being Dulll and 100 US 'advisors' to Helicopter gunship over El Salvador Stop US intervention in Central America!
End Thatcher's support for Reagan's war drive Picket US embassy 5 July 4.30pm - 7.30pm Organised by ELSOC, INSC etc Don't forget! National demonstration September 11, London train Honduran Salvadorean troops are being sent. Ine preparallons being made for US military back-up to a war Nicaragua by the londuran army.
The views of the US military establishment on the measures necessary lo stop the Central American WelC last week General Wallace Nutting outgoing head of the Pentagon's• Southern Command in Panama.
Calling tor a 'commitNutting said can't say whether 150, 200, 500 or 'No more Chile's — hands off Central America' 1000 trainers in Salvador is sufficient. I'm pretty sure aller a coupit or ycals Wal 55 is not'. Salvaged Arguing that 'like it or not the United States is engaged in a war' he stated that EI Salvador is sorted out, I think Nicaragua can be salvaged without an invasion'.
The regional thinking and determination all ine way couldn't b clearer. necessary, the United stales, as a last resort, would be prepared to resort to combat troops.