MANAGUA, June 15 -- Nicaragua's government sat down with opposition groups on Friday to resume a national dialogue aimed at restoring peace after weeks of violent anti-government protests.
The head of the government delegation, Foreign Affairs Minister Denis Moncada, condemned the violence and presented a government proposal calling on protesters to dismantle barricades blocking roadways in return for stepped up efforts at negotiation.
"In recent weeks we have seen, suffered and noted everyone's dismay at seeing how people, young and adult, are brutally murdered, kidnapped, tortured, shot and cast in canals, subjected to a crime wave never before seen in Nicaragua," said Moncada.
Government-run clinics and hospitals have been set on fire and sacked, disrupting vital healthcare, the envoy said.
The government of President Daniel Ortega proposed to work with international organizations, such as the United Nations, European Union and Organization of American States, "to accompany the strengthening of national dialogue," according to Moncada.
In return, the government asked protesters to "totally and immediately" lift the blockades and restore normality to daily life and economic activity, he said.
The church is acting as mediator between the government and the opposition National Alliance for Justice and Democracy, which gathers business groups and activists, and has demanded foreign observers be invited to investigate the country's human rights situation, but the government declined on Friday.
Protests began on April 18 in response to the government's reforms of the social security system, which have since been rescinded.