Church in Nicaraqua opposes military draft

Nicaragua's Roman Catholic Church today accused the left-wing leadership here of following totalitarian examples in proposing compulsory military service for the first time in Nicaragua.

The statement coincided with an amendment from the government softening the terms of the draft law, now under consideration, in apparent reaction to popular dissatisfaction. The new proposal provides for military service for men between the ages of 18 and 40, rather than 17 and 50.