Nica Students Strike over Cuts
Nicaraguan university students are on the streets Wednesday to demand from the government a fair budget under their constitutional rights.

In accordance with the law, undergraduates should be annually given 6 percent of the Republic´s General Budget but President Enrique Bolaños only plans on assigning them 4.3 percent in 2006.

The National Council of Universities President Telemaco Talavera said if only that amount were given, more than 70,000 students would be affected.

"There are also 12,000 students receiving grants and economic assistance for transport, food or any other need, from 250 cordobas, 25 dollars, to a thousand, 60 dollars, depending on the case, " added the student leader.

The 6 percent translates into 1,496 million cordobas, or 88 million dollars. That would roughly be reduces by 60 million dollars with the government´s cut proposal.

Leader of the National Students Union Yasser Martinez accused the government Tuesday of violating the constitution and causing the country´s crisis.