ORTEGA ENDS TRUCE WITH CONTRAS

November 2, 1989

President Daniel Ortega Saavedra Wednesday ended his leftist Sandinista government's 19-month truce with the contra rebels, blaming recent attacks by the guerrillas. President Ortega told a news conference that ``the US government insists on a policy of war against Nicaragua.'' The government says rebels have killed 44 people in the past 10 days.

Ortega startled a meeting of hemispheric heads of state in Costa Rica last Friday by announcing he would not renew the cease-fire.

President Bush said Tuesday he would review US policy toward Nicaragua if Ortega ended the cease-fire. The US cut military aid to the contras in February 1988, but continued humanitarian aid.

Asked if he would consider seeking a renewal of military aid, Bush said, ``I would re-evaluate this situation in a minute if the cease-fire is broken.''