The World : Contras Seek Peace Force

U.S.-backed Nicaraguan rebels have asked several Central American leaders to set up a regional peacekeeping force as a prelude to new peace talks with Managua, according to a Contra spokesman. Bosco Matamoros, in an interview last week, said rebel leaders have asked Costa Rica, Honduras and Guatemala in recent weeks to establish “a United Nations-type force” and offer its services to Nicaragua’s leftist government. The peacekeeping force would separate the Contra forces from Sandinista government troops and establish the order necessary for the resumption of peace talks, Matamoros said. “This would be the first step to ending the bloodshed,” he added. “We are prepared to lay down our arms.”