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