BYRD SAYS CONTRA AID CRITICS WILL LOSE VOTE
Senate Democratic leader Robert Byrd
said he and other critics of Nicaragua rebel military aid will
lose this afternoon an attempt to block 40 mln dlrs in funds to
the contras.
    "We're going to lose today," the West Virginia Democrat told
reporters.
    The Senate votes at 1600 est/2100 gmt on giving the U.S.
backed rebels, also called contras, the last installment of a
40 mln dlr military aid package Congress voted last year.
    However, Byrd also said that he would continue to try to
bring up for Senate action later this week a House-passed,
six-month moratorium against further Nicaragua assistance until
President Reagan accounts for missing funds previously voted by
Congress and from the secret arms sales to Iran.
 Reuter
