Despite the elections in the United States and Nicaragua, there is still cause for concern over U.S. intentions for the Nicaraguan people.  Even as Donald Rumsfield resigned in disgrace, Bush appointed an unhappily familiar face to replace him.

As second-in-command at the CIA, Robert Gates oversaw some of the most grievous offences against Nicaragua during the bloody contra-war.  Gates was involved with Donald Rumsfeld in such infamous capers as when Rummy visited Saddam Hussein only days before poison gas was used against the Kurds.  Gates also was an architect of the mining of the Nicaraguan port of Corinto, and is an old pro at twisting intelligence to suit a dangerously aggresive and out-of-touch foriegn policy.

If their choice of defense secretary is any indication, the Bush administration is not changing course away from the disastrous dynamics of these past six years.  Gates may even add to the paranoia and atmosphere of distrust against Nicaragua in the the Bush foreign policy team. He joins John Negroponte in the lineup of recycled faces - so many of whom cut their teeth in past dirty wars against the dreams of their Latin American neighbors.  We join our friends at the Nicaragua Network in urging Congress to deny the confirmation of Robert Gates.