In both cases the operations were unprofessional, although the Board has much less evidence with respect to LtCol North's contra activities.

He said the new contra activity was designed "to give the impression of an active, resupplied F.D.N. with a social base and with a chance to strike seriously against the revolution."

Mr. Shultz said he had no idea about Colonel North's contra activities.

The area near the road has been a center of contra activity for years.

"All these families were permeated by contra activity," said Wilfredo Barreto, the chief Sandinista party official for the region, who helped plan and oversee the evacuations.

As contra activity increased and the rebels rejected the autumn cease-fire offered by the Managua Government, the Sandinistas mounted a winter campaign to take advantage of the dry season, which favors the Sandinistas.

But it was only one of many such incidents that have focused new attention on contra activities.

Diplomats and military officers in Managua said they expected contra activity to increase over the coming months as weapons bought with American aid money began reaching rebel soldiers.

I would not necessarily hav characterized the N.S.C. support for the contra activity as a covert action.

He has said he opposes the release of large numbers of prisoners accused of contra activity.