WASHINGTON — The United States on Friday rejected the World Court’s decision denouncing USS. backing for the Contra rebels ‘who oppose the Nicaraguan government,

“Today’s opinion demonstrates what we have stated all along; the court is simply not equipped to deal with a case of this nature involving complex facts and intelligence information,” said department spokesman Charles Redman,

Nicaragua, meanwhile, was reported to have received 10 more Soviet-made helicopters and rebel leaders said they hope to use anew infusion of U.S aid to neutralize the Sandinistas’ air power advantage.

In its ruling issued in The Hague, Netherlands, the World Court criticized U.S backing for the Contras and termed the U.S support a violation of the United Nations Charter.

“Nicaragua is engaged in a substantial, unprovoked and unlawful use of force against its neighbors,” Redman told reporters, “The United States has assisted the victims’ response to Nicaragua’s intervention”.

The United States regard its policy toward Nicaragua as in accordance with international law, Redman said.

Redman said the court was unable to order the United States to do anything and noted that the ‘court’s ruling would have to be enforced by the U.N. Security Council, where the United States has veto power.

The court declined to award Nicaragua its claim of $375 million compensation for damage caused by U.S support for the Contras, but said that the United States was under obligation to make reparations.

‘The ruling came at the end of a lopsided 26 month legal proceedings begun by the Sandinistas, who presented what they said was evidence of U.S efforts to topple the ‘Managua government. The United States boycotted most of the court proceedings.

“The court has found that the arming and training of the Contras. Is a violation of the prohibition of the use of force (as laid down in the U.N Chapter),” said Court President Nagendra Singh of India,

“The financing of the Contras undoubtedly constitutes intervention in Nicaraguan sovereignty by the United States”, Singh said.

Article extracted from this publication >> July 4, 1986