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The Iran-Contra Affair 1986-1987
It was a grand scheme that violated American law and policy all around: Arms sales to Iran were prohibited; the U.S. government had long forbidden ransom of any sort for hostages; and it was illegal to fund the contras above the limits set by Congress. The first press revelations occurred in November 1986, and were followed by three investigations, conducted by a presidentially appointed commission headed by former Texas U.S. senator John Tower, by Congress (in televised hearings in mid-1987) and finally by a special federal prosecutor. Charges brought by the prosecutor eventually resulted in the convictions of several members of the Reagan administration, including Reagan's national security adviser, Adm. John Poindexter, and his deputy, Lt. Col. Oliver North. (North's multi-count conviction was set aside on appeal.) Reagan himself was never charged with any offense, although opinions differed about his knowledge of, and culpability for, the affair.
© Copyright 1998 Larry J. Sabato |
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