"This is nonlethal aid," an official said.

The next sentence asks, "What, then, of nonlethal aid?"

Under this plan, that money would be called "nonlethal aid."

Although his efforts have not been successful, overt nonlethal aid has been authorized since 1985, and considerably more covert assistance has probably reached the resistance groups.

It came as the State Department announced moves to supply the opposition with "nonlethal" aid like offices and communications equipment.

It would give the rebels $27 million in nonlethal aid but deny them $16 million already appropriated for weapons, except in narrowly defined circumstances.

What, then, of nonlethal aid?

After killing military aid, Congress could establish its own air-tight controls for nonlethal aid.

Intelligence reports indicate that the rebels, known as contras, have enough military equipment to survive through January if nonlethal aid continues.

But in March 1986 he was 1 of 11 Democrats to vote for the President's $100 million package of nonlethal aid to the contras.