Please find attached documents that provide detailed information on the "Managua Protocol on Disarmament," which was signed on 30 May 1990 by President Violeta Barrios de Chamorro, Israel Galeano ("Commander Franklin") and Cardinal Miguel Obando y Bravo.

One of the attached articles reports that the "political and military command of the Nicaraguan Southern Front" announced on 29 May 1990 that its forces would observe a cease fire until 10 June of the same year, in anticipation of government compliance with its specific demands (ACAN 29 May 1990). The article names the front's representatives and describes their criticisms of both president Chamorro and the peace talks that preceded the above-mentioned accord (Ibid.). The report does not indicate how many rebels belonged to the Southern Front. One report states that on 13 June 1990 president Chamorro announced
that the last remaining group of armed rebels in the country, the Southern Front, has agreed to disarm. The estimated 2,000 rebels signed an agreement promising to move Saturday into a security zone where their disarmament will be monitored by United Nations and Organization of American States observers and troops. The disarmament of the Southern Front is to be completed by June 25 (UPI 14 June 1990).

A more recent 1990 report mentions another accord signed in October 1990, an accord which apparently centred on economic reforms (Central America Report 23 Nov. 1990, 354). The report states that as a result of the accord, "a schism emerged within the ex-contra forces, between those under Israel Galeano (Comandante Franklin) who signed the agreement and those under Oscar Sovalbarro (Comandante Rubén), who did not" (Ibid.).

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

ACAN [Panama City, in Spanish]. 29 May 1990. "Southern Front Cease-Fire Called Until 10 June." (FBIS-LAT-90-104 30 May 1990, p. 9)

ACAN [Panama City, in Spanish]. 30 May 1990. "Ratify Disarmament Deadline." (FBIS-LAT-90-105 31 May 1990, p. 15)

. 29 May 1990. "Southern Front Cease-Fire Called Until 10 June." (FBIS-LAT-90-104 30 May 1990, p. 9)

Central America Report [Guatemala]. 23 November 1990. "Nicaragua: Alliances Shift with Rebellion," pp. 353-54.

. 6 July 1990. "Nicaragua: Contra High Command Disarms, Labor Renews Strike," pp. 193-195.

Domestic Service [Managua, in Spanish]. 30 May 1990. "Hold News Conference." (FBIS-LAT-90-105 31 May 1990, pp. 15-16)

Radio Católica [Managua, in Spanish]. 30 May 1990. "Government, RN Sign `Protocol on Disarmament'." (FBIS-LAT-90-105 31 May 1990, pp. 14-15)

Radio Sandino [Managua, in Spanish]. 30 May 1990. "Further on Contra Development Centers, Agreements." (FBIS-LAT-90-105 31 May 1990, pp. 16-17)