Post on 19-Jan-2016
Iran/ContraThe link between secret arms sales to
Iran and covert military aid to rebels in Nicaragua.
Story Begins in 1979: Nicaragua elects “Sandanista Government”
U.S. Pres. Reagan supports “Contra rebels”The rebels, aka “freedom fighters” were supported by US Military & CIA
Congress Opposed
Boland amendment banned CIA & Dept. of Defense from aiding the rebels
Conspiracy Developed
National Security Council, an advisory unit in EOP, “went operational”, aiding the Contras
NSC Dir. Robt. McFarlane spearheaded effort
Separate Initiative: Secret sales of missiles to Iran (illegal because Iran was a “terrorist nation”)
Used profits to help the Contras
Scandal exposed in 1986
Reagan initially denied accusations
Later appeared on TV to admit that his staff had illegally aided the rebels
North & NSC Defiant with
Congress
Criminal Convictions of NSC staff & directors
Lt. Col. Oliver NorthConvicted 1988 Destroying and
falsifying documents Illegally receiving
personal gifts Obstructing Cong’l
investigation
Conviction reversed on technical grounds
NSC Director: Adm. John Poindexter
Convicted 1988 Criminal Conspiracy Obstructing Criminal
investigation Obstructing Congress
Conviction Reversed on Technical grounds
"I made a very deliberate decision not to tell the president so that I could insulate him from the decision…”
CIA indictments
Clair E. George, CIA, chief of covert operations
Duane R. Clarridge, chief of operations for the C.I.A.,
1991: indicted for perjury
Alan D. Fiers
Head of C.I.A. Latin America task force
1991: pleads guilty (withholding evidence from Congress)
1 yr probation & community service
Elliott L. Abrams
Assistant Secretary of State
1991, pleads guilty withholding info from Congress
Defense Secretary Indicted
Caspar Weinberger
1992: indicted, lying to Congress
Pardoned Dec. 24, 1992
Pres. George Bush pardoned
Weinberger
McFarlane
Abrams
George
Clarridge
Fiers
Bush said the "common denominator of their motivation -- whether their actions were right or wrong -- was patriotism."