France begins delivery of arms for Nicaragua

July 13, 1982

Nicaragua's Marxist junta leader, Daniel Ortega, had talks with French President Francois Mitterrand Monday as France began delivery of two helicopters , part of a controversial arms contract with Managua.

Mr. Ortega had three hours of talks with the President before seeing Prime Minister Pierre Mauroy and other Cabinet ministers. He declined to make any comment on leaving the Elysee Palace. But French External Relations Minister Claude Cheysson, who attended the talks, said the $18 million arms contract signed last December was being carried out.