US says it's ready for Nicaraguan talks

The United States is ready to negotiate directly with Nicaragua over differences between the two countries, according to State Department spokesman Dean Fischer. In answer to questions about possible US-Nicaragua talks, he emphasized the US is ''always interested'' in peacefully settling disputes.

Monitor correspondent Daniel Southerland reports that Mr. Fischer would not confirm when talks might occur, but Mexican Foreign Minister Jorge Castaneda said in a statement it could happen ''very soon.'' He said he expected Nicaragua to ask for concessions from the US in exchange for a commitment not to ship arms to leftist guerrillas fighting to topple the US-backed government in El Salvador.