Iran-Contra

1
Iran-Contra

• The Convergence of U.S. Cold War and Middle East
  Policies

2
Background Ronald Reagun

• Vietnam Syndrome is over!
• USSR is an Evil Empire
• Reagan DoctrineROLL BACK, not just contain
  Soviet influence around globe
• Why have we allowed terrorists to hold our
  citizens over a year

3
Background Contras

• US has long relationship with the Somoza family
  of Nicarauga
• Dictators
• Friendly to UFC and anti-communists

4
Background Contras

• Somozas overthrown by the Sandinistas
• Reagan smells a communist rat!
• 1981 Approves CIA program
• Helps create a counter-revolutionary,
  para-military organization THE CONTRAS
• 19 million
• Honduran training camp

5
Background Contras

• 1984CIA mines Nicaraguan harbors
• Nic. Goes to International Court of Justice
• Wins judgment vs. US
• US is guilty of violating the sovereignty of Nic.
• Reagan admionistration refused to recognized the
  Courts jusirdiction and ignores the verdict

6
Background The Boland Amendment

• 1984 Congress is pressured by international
  community as well as by growing concern w/in US
  to pass Boland
• It forbids government agencies from supporting
  directly or indirectly military or paramilitary
  operations in Nic.

7
Background Embargo vs. Iran

• 1980 In response to Iranian Hostage Crisis, US
  breaks all diplomatic and trade ties w/ Iran
• Weapons and trade embargono buying or selling
  allowed.

8
Background Hostages in Lebanon

• From 1982-1992 Thirty Americans taken hostages
  by pro-Iranian, Islamic extremists
• Reagan We do not negotiate with terrorists.

9
Two Problems for Reagan.

• How to continue to support the Contras in light
  of Boland?
• How to free American hostages w/o negotiating
  with terrorists?
• Iran-Contra is born!

10
The Flow Chart of Iran-Contra

• Israel invades Lebanon
• US sends Marines into Lebanon
• US hostages are taken in the Middle East,
  especially Lebanon
• US (through ISRAEL) sell arms to Iran (vs. Iraq
  1980-88)
• Profits from arms sales DIVERTED to Contras