issue as members of the Council to seek by every means to encourage a peaceful settlement. In our view, that would mean the restoration of friendly relations between the United States and Nicaragua-on the basis, of course, of full respect by all for fundamental Charter principles. The question for us, however. is how best we can help to bring that about. 28. We know that the immediate issue must be seen against the wider background of events in the region and of the upheaval which Nicaragua had to go through three years ago to rid itself of the Somoza rCgimc. Today, several countries in Central America are in turmoil. In those countries, highly stratified societies 3 structured on a grossly unequal basis and frequently maintained by repression have crumbled or are be- ginning to do so. Small nations whose real need is peuce and development have been torn apart in civil strife. as the violence built into unjust social struc- tures over many generations takes a more open form once those structures are openly challenged. Ruling ilites react repressively in the face of threats to their position and seek to maintain themselves against militunt expressions of popular discontent. Death and injury have become commonplace and almost casual, not to say banal. Nicaragua went through just such an upheaval three years ago in ridding itself of the unjust and repressive Somoza rigime. In El Salvador, and to a lesser extent in some other countries of the region, turmoil still continues. 29. What can we in the wider international commu- nity do in the face of this upheaval? 30. It is. of course, as in all such cases, primarily a matter for the peoples of the region to work out their own destinies. But turmoil and potential conflict in 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the political situation in Central America, specifically the turmoil in Nicaragua and El Salvador, and the role of the international community in promoting a peaceful settlement. It touches on the issue of social inequality, repression, and the need for peaceful development. The text does not specifically mention economic development, natural resources, or other categories related to material well-being.

**Category**
International relations, Humanitarian aid and relief