The Michigan Daily - Monday, January 30, 1989- Page 5 Nicaragua seeks support in economic struggle MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) - The leftist Sandinista government is desperately seeking the support of capitalists and workers to brake Nicaragua's rapid slide into economic chaos. With the war against U.S.-backed rebels virtually stalled, President Daniel Ortega faces a potentially deadlier enemy: an economy so feeble even Sandinista supporters are becoming restless. "There's a general awareness that the problem belongs to the whole country," and the government cannot rescue the economy single-handedly, said Bayardo Arce, a member of the ruling Sandinista National Directorate. "We must establish a harmony of interests outlining the responsibilities of the government, private enterprise, and workers, so we can face the country's problems," he said. , Today Ortega is to announce his government's economic plan for 1989, which is expected to include a series of austerity measures. The measures reportedly include a three-month wage and price freeze to curb inflation, which independent economists predict will reach as high as 300 percent a month from now through May. Ortega has acknowledged that inflation reached 20,000 percent last year. In a Dec. 31 speech, Ortega announced budget cuts of 29 percent for the Defense Ministry and 40 percent for security forces. The government has not said how many jobs will be eliminated as a result. Opposition leader Enrique Bolanos, a cotton grower and former president of the Superior Council of Private Enterprise, was skeptical of the Sandinistas' show of good will toward the business community. "When they have problems, they seek us. But when the storm is over, they return to their insults," said Bolanos. This month the official exchange rate has gone from 920 cordobas to the dollar to 2,300 cordobas a dollar. The minimum wage is 3,748 cordobas a day, about $1.63. graphic design illustration page layout. 7 JOHN WEISE/Daily Rattle and strum Dan Kelson, LSA junior (on left), and Steve Hise, Engineering sophomore, take advantage of Saturday's springlike weather by hanging out on the Diag with their six-strings. Congress begins week with cabinet approvals, pay raises S grap interviewingSaturday, feb. 4. student publications building - 420 maynard (back door) 764-0552 WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate bores ahead with confirmation proceedings on President Bush's Cabinet this week, while the political imperative for most House members seems to be to stay out of sight and accept a $45,000 pay raise without a vote. Little or no major action is expected on the key is- sue facing Congress - reducing the federal deficit - until after President Bush presents his own proposals at a joint session of Congress on Feb. 9. In the meantime, Democratic officials say at least three and perhaps more Cabinet appointees will come up for a vote in the Senate this week, and all are ex- pected to win easy confirmation. The list includes Robert Mosbacher as Commerce Secretary, Carla Hills as trade representative and Samuel Skinner to run the Transportation Department. Votes also are possible this week on the appoint- ments .of Manuel Lujan as Interior Secretary and Michael Boskin to head the president's Council of Economic Advisers. The timing is less certain for Defense Secretary- designate John Tower, whose hearing will continue before the Senate Armed Services Committee tomor- row. Ed Derwinski, Bush's choice to lead the Depart- ment of Veterans Affairs, should begin his confirma- tion hearing today. Dr. Louis Sullivan, who has emerged as the most controversial Cabinet appointee because of uncertainty over his views on abortion, faces the Senate Finance Committee at a confirmation Wednesday on his ap- pointment as Secretary of Health and Human Re- sources. Sullivan sought to reassure conservative Republi- cans that he shares their opposition to abortion last week after he was quoted as having told one lawmaker that he does not favor overturning the Supreme Court decision that legalized the operations. The Senate confirmed three Cabinet officials last week, approving Secretary of State James Baker III; Labor Secretary Elizabeth Dole and Budget Director Richard Darman on votes of 99-0. In addition, Trea- sury Secretary Nicholas Brady; Attorney General Richard Thornburgh and Education Secretary Lauro Cavazos are holdover appointments from the Reagan administration and do not require confirmation. Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, while dis- closing plans for confirmation votes this week, has promised a vote on the pay raise but has not yet said when it will be. STUDENTS: NEED TO SHARPEN YOUR READING AND STUDY SKILLS? The READING AND LEARNING SKILLS CENTER is offering classes to help you: * learn reading and study strategies * organize and plan study time * learn strategies for note-taking, reading comprehension and test preparation * have more time for other interests Classes will meet Wednesdays, February 8 - March 22 (no class March 1), 3:30 - 5:00 P.M. Fee: $85.00 REGISTER BY FEB 3 COk47 t Ni FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: READING & LEARNING SKILLS CENTER 1610 Washtenaw (near Hill St.).. 763-7195 YS PRCE SA LE /122 So. UniversityJA1A122 ,rU JA N 31 LA TMiRDA Y 5PM A/Op/m XYCMODA x THRU A/NDA ML DAY S3UNDAY ALL W/LL FOOD ITEMS AT 1 f 71 BE HALF 1PR//CE / W1Cf/3'urrito .3 c. 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