The communiqué, issued by the Nicaraguan Foreign Ministry, said that non-fulfillment of the United Nations Resolution 1441 on the Iraqi side had endangered international security.

Nicaragua was ready to offer humanitarian assistance after the military action, which would include sending experts for mine clearing operations and offering medical assistance to victims, said the communiqué. It added that offering such humanitarian relief complied with the laws of Nicaragua.

Nevertheless, politicians, intellectuals and the majority of people in Nicaragua condemned the military action launched by the United States on Wednesday night, without the authorization of the United Nations.

In a television program, Alejandro Serrano, a former Nicaraguan ambassador to France, said the US strike on Iraq was against the spirit of UN Resolution 1441 and a blow to the UN multilateral system.

Public opinion in Nicaragua also condemned Managua's support for the war against Iraq.

Despite rain in Managua, tens of people lined up outside Radio Primerisima, a local station, to voice their opinion on the war.

(Xinhua News Agency March 21, 2003)