IRAN-CONTRA AFFAIR

BACKGROUND: CONTRAS

Nicaragua led by Somoza family

U.S. had long relationship with Somozas of Nicaragua

Dictators Pro U.S. and anti-

communist

BACKGROUND: CONTRAS

Somozas overthrown by the Sandinistas

Reagan believes communism is taking over Nicaragua

1981: Approves CIA program: Helps create a counter-

revolutionary, paramilitary organization: The Contras

$19 million in aid Created a training camp in

Honduras

THE BOLAND AMENDMENT

1984: Congress is pressured by international community and U.S. citizens to stop funding military groups

Boland Amendment is passed

Forbids government agencies from supporting “directly or indirectly military or paramilitary operations” in Nicaragua

BACKGROUND: IRAN EMBARGO

1980: U.S. breaks all diplomatic and trade ties with Iran

Why? Weapons and trade

embargo – no buying or selling allowed

BACKGROUND: HOSTAGES IN LEBANON From 1982-1992:

Thirty Americans taken hostage by pro-Iranian, Islamic extremists – Hezbollah

Reagan: “We do not negotiate with terrorists.”

PLAN

An operation to free American Hostages being held by terrorist groups with Iranian ties.

It was planned that Israel would ship weapons to Iran, and then the U.S. would resupply Israel and receive the Israeli payment.

Being held by the Lebanese Shia Islamist group Hezbollah

Hezbollah: militant group and political party in Lebanon (terrorist group).

OLIVER NORTH The plan deteriorated into an arms-

for-hostages scheme Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North in

1985 mostly set up the plan where a portion of the proceeds from the weapon sales was diverted to fund anti-Sandinista and anti-communist rebels, or Contras, in Nicaragua.

THE PLAN EXPOSED

Lebanese newspaper reported that the U.S. sold arms to Iran through Israel in exchange for the release of hostages by Hezbollah.

REAGAN

President Ronald Reagan: was a supporter of the Contra cause

no evidence has been found showing that he authorized the exchange of the money raised by the Iranian arms sales to the Contras.

Oliver North and his secretary, Fawn Hall, destroyed documents

WHAT DID REAGAN KNOW

After the weapon sales were revealed in November 1986, Reagan appeared on national television and stated that the weapons transfers had indeed occurred, but that the United States did not trade arms for hostages.

NATIONAL TELEVISION

On March 4, 1987, Reagan returned to the airwaves in a nationally televised address, taking full responsibility for any actions that he was unaware of.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Bush was vice-president at the time of the affair.

Some of those involved in the Iran–Contra scandal who were convicted of felonies and subsequently pardoned later became members of the administration of George W. Bush.