Sweden suspends economic aid to Nicaragua for not allowing abortion
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Managua, Nicaragua, Aug 29, 2007 / 10:18 am (CNA).- The government of Sweden has announced it will suspend economic aid to Nicaragua over that country’s laws defending the unborn from abortion under any circumstances, including so-called “therapeutic” abortions.

In a press release, the Swedish embassy in Managua said Sweden would reduce the number of countries it is economically assisting from 70 to 33, with most of the nations being in Africa and Eastern Europe.  “As a consequence of this concentration in our assistance, the government of Sweden has made the decision to gradually pull out of some countries in Latin America, among them Nicaragua.  This process of pulling out will take two to four years,” the statement said.

Sources said however that Swedish leaders “were very concerned about the issue of therapeutic abortion.”  “What’s happening is that they are very involved in health issues.  The announcement is to see if the discussion on therapeutic abortion can be reopened,” they added.

The former president of Nicaragua’s Central Bank, Mario Arana, said the cutbacks are “very unfortunate, because this kind of aid is the most flexible and is the best for the country,” which is able to decide for itself how to invest the money.

On the other hand, economist Nestor Avendaño said the Swedish government’s decision was “very strange since Nicaragua has maintained a very responsible economic policy, even in this last year in which it has been negotiating an economic agreement with the International Monetary Fund.”

In 2006 Nicaragua received $21 million in aid from Sweden.

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: Nabwana E. Pascal
Kenya 08/31/2007 04:03 AM EST
I can only describe the situation as very unfortunate.

Dont we respect life anymore? Do we love God at all?

I congratulate Nicaragua for their stand. They should not murder just because of economic gains. Judas regretted having sold out Jesus to His captives.

Nicaragua shouldnot fear of economic repercusiions for standing by God's instructions and instead they should remain steadfast in them as God will also stand by them. That is more than enough.

Let Sweden at least respect God's instructions if they do not respect the value of life and the right to life of every individual.

That God grants us life and he is the one who should determine when to take it is not in question.

Why should we dictate when to end the life of an innocent being when no one dictated on our own life. It is cruel and extremely selfish. Life was given to us for free.

Let us condemn abortion with the contempt it deserves.
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Published by: Althea
Tuxtla, Chiapas, mexico 08/30/2007 08:21 AM EST
Congrats to Nicaragua for holding firm, going against the current, and refusing to legalize abortion.
Despite the dire economic needs of its citizens, the country refuses to be manipulated into accepting an anti-life policy in exchange for foreign funds.
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Published by: M. Lyons
Perth, Western Australia 08/29/2007 11:02 PM EST
Shame on you Sweden! Shame on you! I hope that Nicaragua does not sell its soul for a few pieces of silver. Perhaps, the rest of us should buy less of anything made in Sweden.
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Published by: Augustine
Austin, TX, USA 08/29/2007 03:54 PM EST
Well, the first Catholic to receive a grant on the condition of his betraying his faith was Judas Iscariot...

Kudos to brave Nicaragua and Our Lady intercede for it.
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