NICARAGUA: HUNDREDS ATTEND MASS IN HONOUR OF SOMOZA FAMILY скачать в хорошем качестве

NICARAGUA: HUNDREDS ATTEND MASS IN HONOUR OF SOMOZA FAMILY

(30 Sep 1997) Spanish/Nat Hundreds of Nicaraguans participated in a Catholic mass to honour the Somoza family dictatorship which ruled the country for nearly 50 years. The mass was the first public event involving the Somoza family since their defeat by the Sandinistas in 1979. The event was held amid escalating tensions between the country's left and the right. Just a few years ago this mass would have been unheard of. But on Monday night, hundreds of Nicaraguans packed this church in San Rafael del Sur to honour the Somoza family - a dynasty of dictators who ruled Nicaragua for nearly 50 years. The mass was an open show of support for the Somozas and marked the 41st anniversary of the death of the founding dictator, General Somoza Garcia. Followers distributed souvenir cards with the photograph of the general - the dynasty's patriarch who was shot dead in 1956. Two of his grandchildren attended the service. (Spanish) "Well we have to make it clear that we are here to claim back the land. We are not involved in politics. The Sandinistas have their own political games in what it is to maintain the properties that they have stolen. Really it is a game of injustice in the courts. And that is all that we are doing here." SUPER CAPTION: Luis Somoza, grandson of dictator General Anastasio Somoza Nostalgia for the family has grown during the years following the end of their military rule. Two of Somoza Garcia's sons succeeded him until the leftist Sandinista rebels overthrew General Anastasio Somoza Debayle in July 1979. Thousands of Somoza supporters - known as "Somocista" - went into exile after the Sandinistas took over. (Spanish) Q: "Would you like the Somoza family to return to Nicaragua?" A: "Of course. As does everyone. All. Because I am a Somocista since my mother brought us children into the world. I am 65 years old and, like my mother, the president and general coordinator of General Somoza, I go on doing the same. I am president and coordinator of the National Guard. And with great pride and with a lot of honour and without fear of anybody because I am afraid only of God." SUPER CAPTION: Olga Flores, Somocista Members of the family are seeking to recoup 350 properties worth an estimated 250 (m) million U-S dollars. Some hope their return will mean work and an end to the impoverished misery many suffer. Others see it as a disaster. The mass took place as tension mounts between Nicaragua's opposing political parties. Right-wing President Arnoldo Aleman, elected last October, has been accused of Somocista-style dictatorship by the Sandinistas - Nicaragua's largest opposition party. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...