Iran Contra Affair
1970s Nicaragua◦US supported dictator Anastasio Somoza
1979◦FSLN overthrow Somoza Frente Sandinista de Liberacion Nacional
Sandinista Junta of National Reconstruction
Background
Sandinistas
Socialist group from Nicaragua Guerrilla group
◦Overthrow Nicaraguan dictator Rule Nicaragua from 1979 - 1990 Support Marxist revolutionary movements in Latin America◦Joined by Cuba and Communist
government of Fidel Castro
The Sandinistas
Late 1970s◦Carter limits aid to Nicaragua◦Disagreed with Dictator Samoza’s government
◦Pulled military funding◦Provided $ for humanitarian relief
American Response
1981◦Reagan cuts off aid to Nicaragua Alleges that the Sandinistas were
supported by USSR◦Reagan approves $20 million for the CIA
to train opposition Contras – counterrevolutionary guerilla
soldiers
Trained by CIA Mostly remnants of Samoza’s National Guard
Anti-Sandinista guerillas Anti-Communist Operated out of Honduras and Costa Rica
Sandinistas label them terrorists◦Frequently attack civilians◦World Court condemns some actions as
illegal
Contras
1982 - 1984 Outlawed US government assistance to Contras for purpose of overthrowing Nicaraguan gov’t
US can no longer openly support Contras w/$
Does this give Congress too much power?
Boland Amendment
Despite Congress’ ban on aid to the Contras, Reagan remained determined to help them◦Approves weapons sales to Iran◦Direct violation of a US arms embargo because of Iran-Iraq War
The Iran Connection
Members of Reagan’s National Security Council come up with plan◦Vice Admiral John Poindexter◦Lt. Colonel Oliver North
Israel shipped weapons to Iran◦US would resupply Israel and receive $
◦Iran would try to help US hostages held by Hezbollah be released
◦Some $ would go to Contras Oliver North’s part
The scheme was revealed to Congress in 1986 followed by an investigation1. Reagan admitted authorizing
Iranian arms sales, but denied knowledge of the diversion of funds to the Contras
Saw opportunity to further relations with Iran
The Aftermath
2. Other members of the administration engaged in a cover-up
North admitted destroying key documents (let off on a technicality)
Others lied and withheld evidence
Nicaragua sues US before International Court of Justice◦Rules in favor of Nicaragua◦Mandates monetary compensation◦US blocks enforcement as permanent
member of Security Council Operation became seen as hostages-for-arms deal
US foreign relations took a hit◦Willingness to engage in concessions with Iran and Hezbollah signaled that hostage-taking was an extremely useful instrument in extracting political and financial concessions for the West
◦Undermined any credibility of U.S. criticism of other states' deviation from the principles of no-negotiation and no concession to terrorists and their demands
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