US to join Honduras in military exercises

The US plans joint military exercises with Honduras next month, administration officials said. The intent, they said, is to show US resolve in the face of Nicaraguan and Cuban support for leftist revolution in the region.

The air, land, and sea maneuvers may reach both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Central America. Administration officials said the operation would train Honduran forces in antiguerrilla warfare. They did not expect any American combat troops to be involved.

The exercise was disclosed as the House of Representatives prepared to begin a rare closed-door debate on moves to cut off US military aid to guerrillas battling the leftist government of Nicaragua.