2 lawmakers nearly fight

  MANAGUA - (AP) -- The Nicaraguan Congress suspended its session Thursday after two legislators nearly came to blows over the issue of whether to
  strip a former president of his immunity from prosecution so he can face corruption charges.

  The debate on the immunity issue was postponed until next Wednesday because a congressman who has pledged to provide one of the 47 of 92 votes
  necessary to pass the measure is in the United States receiving medical treatment.

  The delay angered Congressman Pedro Joaquín Ríos, an ardent defender of former President Arnoldo Alemán, who jumped to his feet and challenged
  fellow legislator Jorge Matamoros, an Alemán opponent, to a fist fight.

  Ríos argued that the legislators had a quorum without the missing congressman and should not delay the vote. Alemán, who enjoys immunity as a sitting
  lawmaker, was present at the session but did not speak.

  Another legislator broke the two dueling congressmen up and the session was then suspended.

  Both congressmen belong to Alemán's Constitutionalist Liberal Party, as does current President Enrique Bolaños. While Alemán has his share of
  defenders, many in the party have become disenchanted with the former president.

  Bolaños, who served as Alemán's vice president, has pledged to stamp out corruption since he took office in January and has actively pursued the
  charges against Alemán.

  Congress is dominated by Liberals allied with Alemán and by the left-wing Sandinista National Liberation Front.

  The initiative to strip Alemán of immunity has the support of nine Liberal legislators and 38 Sandinista legislators.

  One of the nine is Fernando Avellán, who is in the United States receiving treatment for a heart ailment.

  His wife, Rhina Cardenal, said he was due back home on Saturday.

  Alemán has been accused by a criminal judge of illegally diverting nearly $100 million in state funds to his party's election campaigns, including that of
  Bolaños.

  A congressional commission on Saturday recommended that the full Congress strip Alemán of the immunity from prosecution he enjoys as a member of
  the legislature.