Nicaragua reports clash with Honduran warplanes

A Nicaraguan coast guard gunboat was strafed by three Honduran warplanes, Nicaragua said. It said three French-built Super Mystere Honduran jets fired on the Nicaraguan gunboat after it detained two Honduran fishing vessels in Nicaraguan waters.

State Department spokesman Dean Fischer said the Nicaraguan gunboat was alleged to have entered Honduran waters and attacked Honduran fishing boats. ''We understand the Honduran air force took protective and defensive action in response to provocation,'' he said.