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Nicaragua Says It's Open to Dialogue After 9 Dead in Unrest

by Associated Press

   MANAGUA, NICARAGUA --

   Nicaragua's government says it is willing to negotiate over
   controversial social security reforms that have prompted protests and
   deadly clashes this week.

   Vice President Rosario Murillo said nine people had been killed in the
   unrest. She called the protests "cruel'' but offered no other details.

   Dozens of others have been injured or arrested in the chaos in various
   cities across the Central American nation.

   Murillo said late Friday that President Daniel Ortega's government was
   responding to calls for dialogue made by Roman Catholic Cardinal
   Leopoldo Brenes and the private business sector.

   She added that the social security reforms "are not concluded
   proposals, but [rather] we are open to discussing them.''