Word: iran-contra
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...have had incredible leaks from discussions with closed committees of the & Congress," charged Lieut. Colonel Oliver North in his testimony before the Iran-contra committees. Later, former National Security Adviser John Poindexter complained that divulging secrets "has become an art form in this city to help influence policy." One reason the Reagan Administration conducted the Iran-contra operations so secretly was its fear that if Congress learned of the activities, it would go public with them and create a national furor...
...psychiatric records and FBI files, Frankel issued a memo saying the request had gone "too far." A few days later Frankel sent a memo chastising the bureau for "lassitude" in following up Washington Post scoops. Admitted a Times staffer: "Let's face it, we were getting clobbered on the Iran-contra story...
...testimony before the congressional committees investigating the Iran-contra affair, Poindexter insisted he and he alone gave final approval to Lieut. Colonel Oliver North's proposal to take profits from U.S. arms sales to Iran and divert them to the Nicaraguan rebel forces. He claimed to have exercised this authority without ever telling the President, so as to protect Reagan from the "politically volatile issue" that subsequently exploded on them. "I made the decision," Poindexter declared in an even, matter-of-fact tone. "I was convinced that the President would, in the end, think it was a good idea...
...President's supporters, Poindexter's confession was a turning point in the Iran-contra melodrama, resolving one of the essential issues of the scandal. There would be no evidence directly linking Reagan to the ugly and possibly unlawful use of money garnered by selling weapons to terrorists. While the White House staff breathed a sigh of relief over the admiral's disclosure, Reagan at first seemed nonchalant. "What's new about that?" he shrugged. "I've been saying that for seven months...
...performance fueled rather than stilled speculation in Washington that Poindexter was the Administration's designated scapegoat for the scandal. In earlier testimony North, who was Poindexter's hyperactive aide at the NSC, claimed he and Director of Central Intelligence William Casey had often ! discussed the intricacies of the Iran-contra operation. According to North, Casey said the Marine might have to play the "fall guy," taking blame for the entire operation if it was ever exposed. On further consideration, Casey speculated that North might not be "senior enough" to make a credible scapegoat; the CIA director suggested Poindexter would have...