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SV Nicaraguan Miguel D'Escoto and Soviet Foreign Minister Gromyko entering room and talking (3 shots)
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SV Father D'Escoto and his delegation seated
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SV Gromyko and delegation
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GV Delegates seated at table
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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: INTRODUCTION: Father Miguel D'Escoto, the Nicaraguan Foreign Minister, has firmly rejected American allegations that his country sponsors subversion in Central America. The Minister made the statement at a news conference on Tuesday (15 December) during four days of talks in Moscow with Soviet officials, including Foreign Minister, Andrei Gromyko.

SYNOPSIS: The American State Department has charged that Nicaraguan is supporting left-wing opposition forces in Central America, and especially in El Salvador where the Americans are themselves backing the military junta. Father D'Escoto denied this charge and would not be drawn on allegations of Soviet arms deliveries to Nicaragua. Father D'Escoto asserted that Nicaragua had never been a de-establishment influence in the region and that it was never government's policy to export revolution. The American Secretary of State Alexander Haig, has threatened Nicaraguan with a full-scale economic blockade.

Father D'Escoto did not give any details of his Moscow talks, but said that no economic agreements had been signed during visit. Western diplomats believed that Nicaraguan needs large-scale financial aid following the United States' decision to cut off the development grants it was sending to the country. The Soviet Agency, TASS said that Mr. Gromyko had told Father D'Escoto that all Control American states have the rights to determine their own development.