Ortega led a 1979 revolution that saw the Sandinistas take control of
                 Nicaragua's government until 1990. Backed by the Soviet Union and Cuba, they
                 adopted an increasingly left-wing stance that prompted the United States to
                 bankroll efforts to topple them.

                 Ortega spoke to hundreds of supporters who braved a driving rain and packed
                 Pope John Paul II Plaza in Managua on Thursday night to mark the 22nd
                 anniversary of the Oretga-led Sandinista uprising.

                 Ortega told the crowd that political confrontation with the United States "would
                 not happen again," saying he was ready to cooperate with Washington's war on
                 drugs.

                 But Ortega, who even ordered an American flag be flown alongside the
                 Nicaraguan flag above the podium where he spoke, was also quick to accuse
                 the Bush administration of trying to sabotage his party's presidential bid.

                 "We believe the United States should respect the decisions of Nicaraguans and
                 not try to influence the outcome of the election," he said.

                 Oliver P. Garza, U.S. ambassador to Nicaragua, denies such charges. President
                 George W. Bush has said publicly that, while he does not support the
                 Sandinistas, his administration will do nothing to stifle Ortega's campaign, Garza
                 said.

                 Campaigns for the November 4 presidential election are not expected to kick
                 into full swing until late next month. Public opinion polls put Ortega far ahead of
                 second-place finisher Enrique Bolanos of the Liberal Constitutionalist Party.

                 Conservative Party candidate Noel Vidaurre, who had been running third,
                 dropped out of the race Monday after the collapse of his effort to form a broad
                 coalition against the Sandinistas.

                   Copyright 2001 The Associated Press