Nicaragua lawmakers approve Russian satellite station
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 30 April 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Nicaragua lawmakers approve Russian satellite station, 30 April 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5565ba5f12.html [accessed 4 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
April 30, 2015
Nicaragua's parliament has authorized the establishment of a ground station in the Central American country for a Russian satellite network.
Nicaraguan officials say the base will permit the operation of GLONASS, a Russian satellite navigation system designed to be an equivalent of the United States' GPS.
Thy said it would be used for peaceful purposes such as mitigating natural disasters.
Opponents of President Daniel Ortega's ruling party say the measure, which originated as an urgent presidential decree sent to parliament this week, was pushed through without proper time for study.
Ortega had close ties to the Soviet Union as president in the 1980s, and has stepped up cooperation with Russia since returning to power in 2007.
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Nicaragua last year.
Based on reporting by AP and TASS
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
