Nicaraguan Foreign Minister, Miguel D’Escoto told an audience Monday about the present political and economic crisis in Nicaragua.

His lecture, titled, “Nicaragua on the Brink, Peace or Civil War?” explained the state of Nicaraguan affairs placing much of the responsibility of Nicaragua’s crisis on U.S. intervention.

He gave examples of U.S. intervention which interfered with the political and economic progress of Nicaragua including U.S. support of the Contras, U.S. support of Somosa and the manipulated election of President Chommorro.

“Corruption in elections is common practice as proven by the elections resulting in the election of President Chommorro. The perennial deceiver has deceived us again,” D’Escoto said.

“The winning presidential candidate was to be determined by a democratic majority vote. Fourteen different political parties were to make this decision. I guess the parties missed the point. They thought democracy meant a free choice. When the election was held and the U.S. had told Chommorro she was to receive the unanimous vote, you can imagine her surprise when she only received two votes and the rest of the votes were split, 6-6. A second election was held with the same results. Finally, on the third election, Chommorro received the unanimous vote as the United States had intended,” he said.

He also said another crisis Nicaragua faces today is a people disillusioned with the government and the Sandinistas.

“The people are frustrated with the Sandinistas. They consider their attitude towards Chommorro as too patient and compliant. They want stronger action,” he said.

“So far, there have been 32 uncomplied agreements. I believe that if you do not honor signed agreements , you are really discrediting one of the means to a peaceful resolution of conflict and are inviting violence. Nicaraguans are asking themselves, ‘What’s the use of talking?'” he said.

“The present situation is also one stained with immediate problems of poverty, hunger, homelessness and unemployment. To alleviate their hunger, children often take to the street becoming skilled thieves or make a living through prostitution,” he said.

Through his relief program, D’Escoto has helped thousands of children receive the food and medical aid they so badly need. Present efforts are short-term due to the emergency situation, he said, but long-term goals, such as addressing issues of unemployment, are also targeted goals.

D’Escoto also talked about the evil of selfishness, a recurring problem that is pushing the world off the brink.

“I really do believe that we are on the verge, brink of a total collapse. Not because of lack of education or planning but because we are not capable of getting out of the rut of selfishness. I believe this strength can be found,” he said.