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This past month marked the 25th anniversary of the accession to power of Nicaragua's Sandinistas
National Review, August 23, 2004
* This past month marked the 25th anniversary of the accession to power of Nicaragua's Sandinistas. Their dictatorship was swept away in 1990 by free elections, which were themselves the result of U.S. pressure for democratization. But the wounds of the war linger--50,000 people died--and Cardinal Miguel Obando y Bravo recently offered a Mass "for peace and reconciliation." His gesture was prompted by an appeal for forgiveness on the part of Sandinista strongman Daniel Ortega.
"Without this pardon," said the cardinal, "the wounds will continue to bleed, feeding future generations with an endless disgust ... One cannot remain a prisoner of the past. It is necessary to purify memory." This is commendable. Nicaragua is facing its national demons with frankness and maturity.
COPYRIGHT 2004 National Review, Inc.
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