Central American envoy reports on canceled trip

The US special envoy to Central America, Richard Stone, reported to Secretary of State George Shultz on his mission to the region, cut short when he failed to meet Salvadorean guerrilla leaders.

The State Department refused comment on the aborted meeting, which was to have been held in Costa Rica with the purpose, according to the US, of discussing rebel groups' participation in El Salvador's planned elections.

But spokesman Alan Romberg left open the possibility of further attempts at talks with the guerrilla leaders, saying the United States would continue its policy of not imposing advance requirements on the holding of a meeting.

A rebel communique said the meeting was called off for procedural reasons.