People
Abrams, Elliott
- Assistant secretary of state for inter-American affairs 1985-1989
- Chairman - Restricted Inter-Agency Group (RIG)
- August 1986 he solicited $10 million from Sultan of Brunei to purchase arms for Contras
- Pled guilty to two misdemeanor charges - withholding information from congress.
- Sentenced to community service and two years probation.
- Pardoned December 24, 1992
Allen, Charles E.
- Served as CIA intelligence officer for counter-terrorism
- Received formal Agency reprimand for "bending CIA regulations" for providing
assistance to NSC
Anderson, Terry A
- Associated Press bureau chief - Beirut
- Kidnapped March 16,1985
- Released December 4, 1991
Arias Sanchez, Oscar
- President - Costa Rica
- Shut down Santa Elena airstrip in northern Costa Rica - September 1986
Bahramani, Ali Hashemi
- Central figure in "second channel" to government leaders in Iran
- Believed to be nephew of Iranian Speaker of Parliament Ali Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani
Buckley, William
- CIA counterterroriam expert and chief-of-staion - Beirut
- Kidnapped March 18, 1984
- Islamic Jihad announced his death October, 1985
- Hostages believe he died June, 1985
Bush, George
- Vice President USA under Reagan
Bustillo, Juan Rafael
- Commander El Salvadorian Air Force
- Permitted Contra resupply through Ilopango air base
- His key contact was CIA agent Felix Rodriguez
Calero, Adolfo
- Head of Coca-Cola Nicaragua while Somoza was dictator.
- June 1983, CIA chose him tobecome head of Nicaraguan Democratic Force (FDN).
- Later one of three learders of UnitedNicaraguan Opposition (UNO).
- Worked closely with North.
Casey, William
- Director of CIA 1981-1987.
- Worker closely with North.
- Supplied CIA assets for Contras and Iran initiatives.
Cave, George W.
- CIA's top man on Iran until he retired 1980.
- After January 1986 he contracted with CIA to work on Iran negotiations.
Channell, Carl R. ("Spitz")
- President of National Endowment for the Preservation of Liberty (NEPL).
- Prominent fund raiser and lobbiest for Contra couses.
- Funnelled $2 million to Contras in tax-exempt funds.
- April 1987 pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud United States.
- Sentenced to two years probation.
Cicippio, Joseph James
- Taken hostage in Beriut September 12, 1986.
- Released December 2, 1991.
Clarridge, Duane R ("Dewey")
- Top CIA official in charge of covert Nicaraguan war, 1981-1984.
- November 1985 assisted North in Hawk shipment to Iran.
- Indicted November 1991 on seven counts including perjury and false statements.
- Pardon December 24, 1992.
Cline, Thomas G.
- CIA operative and associated of Secord.
- Work behind the scenes on arms shipments to Contras through Enterprise 1985-1986.
Cruz, Arturo, Sr.
- Member of Sandinista junta and abbassodor to Washington.
- Became opponent of Sandinistas.
- In February 1985 transferred from CIA payroll to one controlled by North.
- June 1985, named director United Nicaraguan Opposition.
Dunn, Bert
- CIA.
- 1985 - 1986 leading operational possition in Iran initiative
Dutton, Robert, C.
- Worker under Secord and Dutton supervising Contra resupply starting spring 1986.
Fernandez, Joseph
- CIA.
- 1983 worked with resupply operations southern front.
- CIA chief of Station Costa Rica 1984-1986, code name Tomas Castillo.
- Worker with North and Owens.
- April 24, 1989 indicte for lying to investigators.
- Case dropped when Bush administration refused to release documents.
Fiers, Alan D.
- Succeeded Clarridge in 1984 as CIA incharge of day-today covert operations in Central
America.
- Chief of Central American Task Force (C/CATF)
- Member of Restricted Inter-Agency Group (RIG) with North and Abrams.
- July 1991 plead guilty two misdemeonor counts, pardoned by Bush, January 24, 1992.
Gadd, Richard L.
- Secord deputy supervising day-to-day resupply operations January to April 1986.
- Replaced by Dutton.
George, Claire E.
- During 1980s deputy director of CIA responsible for covert operations.
- September 1991 indicted but jury did not convict.
- Retried and convicted.
- Pardoned by Bush December 24, 1992.
Ghorbanifar, Manucher
- Iranian arms dealer and middle man mid 1985 to mid 1986 in arms deals.
Gregg, Donald P.
- Bush's national security advisor beginning 1982
Hakim, Albert
- Secord's partner beginning 1983.
- Translated and negotiated Iran arms deals.
- November 1989, pled guilty one count of supplementing North's salary.
Hall, Fawn
- North's secretary.
- Testified about her role in Iran arms deals.
Hasenfus, Eugene
- Sole survivor October 5, 1986 plane crash during Contra resupply.
- Captured and stated he was working for CIA under Max Gomez (Rodriguez) and Ramon
Medina (Carriles).
Acobsen, David P.
- Kidnapped in Beirut May 28, 1985
- Released November 2, 1986.
Jenco, Lawrence Martin
- Kidnapped in Beirut January 8, 1985
- Released July 26, 1986.
Kangarlou, Mohsen
- An official in Iranian prime minister's office.
- Play prominent role in freeing hotages Weir and Jenco
- Played role in kidnapping Reed.
Karrubi, Hassan
- Iranian official took part in meetings with Americans November 1984 until spring 1986.
Khashoggi, Adnan
- Saudi billonnaire associate of Ghorbanifar and Khashoggi
- Made several large loans 1985-1986 which allowed US -sanctioned arms sales to Iran to be
completed.
Khomeini, Ruhollah
- Principal figure in Irannian Revolution 1979.
- Primary Shiite religious leader until his death 1989.
Kilburn, Peter
- Kidnapped Beirut December 3, 1984 and killed.
- (Reportedly at request of Muammar
Qaddafi or April, 1986 us bombing of Libya.)
Kimche, David
- Director-general Isreal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Met with McFarlane July 1985 about possible arms deals.
- Replaced by Nir as main contact.
Ledeen, Michael A.
- NSC consultant November 1984 to December 1986.
- Made initial contacts with Peres.
Levin, Jeremy
- Kidnapped in Beirut March 7, 1984.
- Escaped.
McFarlane, Robert C.
- National security advisor 1983 to 1985.
- Responsible for key elements in Iran arms deals and Contra policy.
- Plead guilty to withholding information from Congress.
- Pardonned January 24, 1992.
McMahon, John N.
- Deputy director CIA 1982 to March 1986.
- After learning CIA role in illegal Hawk missile
shipment to Iran demanded RWR sign Presidential Finding before alowing CIA to ship more
arms.
Meese, Edwin, III
- Counselor to RWR 1981 to 1985, attorney general 1985 to 1988.
- Connected with hostage ramsom operations by DEA and North.
- Involved in cover up of arms deals.
Miller, Richard R.
- President IBC.
- Major player in political and paramilitary operations with North and Channell.
- Pled guilty to one count to defraud United States.
Monge, Luis Alberto
- President of Coast Rica in early 1980s supported southern front by allowing secret air
bases for Enterprise.
Najafabadi, Mohammad Ali Hadi
- Highest ranking Iranian official to meet with McFarlane.
Negroponte, John D.
- Ambassador to Honduras RWR first term.
- Oversaw Contra Operations
Nimrodi, Yaacov
- Isreali defense attache.
- First round middleman
- Involved in Hawk missile shipment.
Nir, Amiram
- Counterterrorism advisor to Peres
- Principal Isreali contact in second phase.
- July 1986 met Bush.
- Killed in plane crash in Mexico 1988.
North, Oliver L.
- Deputy director for political-military affairs at NSC (code name BG for Blood and Guts).
- Run Contra operation and arms for hostages with Goode, Green and Steelhammer.
- March 1988 indicted.
- Some counts thrown out because government refuse documents.
- Convicted on three counts.
- Appeals vacated two counts and reversed one.
Owen, Robert W.
- Spring 1984 to 1986 served as "eyes and ears" for North in Central America.
- North arrange contract with NHAO to pay for his work.
Peres, Shimon
- Isreali Prime Minister during Iran-Contra.
Poindexter, John M.
- Deputy national security advisor under McFarlane 1983 to 1985 and succcessor to
McFarlane.
- Major descision maker for covert operations in Central America and Iran.
- North's boss.
- McFarlane reported directly to RWR.
- Allowed to resign.
- Indicted April 1988
- Found guilty of five counts in April 1990
Polhill, Robert B.
- Kidnapper by Islamic Ijhad January 28, 1987
- Freed April 22, 1990
Rafsanjani, Ali Akbar Hashemi
- Speaker of Irans' parliament.
- Thought to be interested in forging new relations with U.S.
Raymond, Walter, Jr.
- In 1982 Casey transfer him from CIA to NSC.
- His task was to build "public dipolmacy" within executive branch.
- Responsible for overssing NSDD 77.
- He chaired weekly meetings
- Central American Oublic Diplomacy Working Group.
Reed, Frank Herbert
- Kidnapped in Beirut September 9, 1986.
- Freed April30, 1990.
Reich, Otto
- First director of Office of Public Diplomacy for Latin America and the Caribbean
(S/LPD) 1983-1986.
- He reported to Raymond at NSC.
Rodriguez, Felix I.
- Career CIA operative.
- Februrary 1985 he took over Contra resupply operations at Ilopango air-strip in El Salvador.
Schwimmer, Adolph ("Al")
- Isreali businessman who pushed for major arms sales to Iran.
Secord, Richard V.
- Retire Air Force general responsible for early transfer of weapons to Iran.
- Left White House in 1983 in EATSCO scandle.
- In private sector he was responsible for controling many operation.
- In 1988 he was charged with several counts resulting for Iran-Contra.
- He pled guilty to one count of giving false statements to congress and received probation on
January 24, 1990.
Shultz, George P.
- Secretary of State.
- Strongly supported aid to Contras and designed way to circumvent congress.
- He opposed trading arms for hostages.
- Told RWR when the scandal broke that he would not participate in a coverup.
Singlaub, John K.
- Retired army general
- Chairman World Anti-Communist League (WACL) and its affiliate,
the United States Council for World Freedom (USCWF).
- He drew attention away from resupply operations.
- He raise fund from South Korea and Taiwan.
Steen, Alan B.
- Kidnapped in Beirut January 28, 1987.
- Released December 3, 1991.
Sutherland, Thomas M.
- Kidnapped in Beirut June 9, 1985.
- Released November 18, 1991.
Tambs, Lewis A.
- Conservative activist served as ambassador to Costa Rica.
- Help set up southern front.
- Worked closely with Joseph Fernandez.
Teicher, Howard J.
- Senoir director for political-military affairs at NSC.
- Travel to Iran with McFarlane May 1986.
- In 1992 claimed he briefed Bush on arms deals.
Tracy, Edward Austin
- Kidnapper in Beirut October 21, 1986.
- Released August 11, 1991.
Turner Jesse J.
- Kidnapper in Beirut January 28, 1987.
- Released October 22, 1991.
Twetten, Thomas
- Deputy chief Near East Division (DC/NE) at CIA's Directorate for Operations.
- April 1986 replaced Bert Dunn as chief of the division (C/NE).
- Work with North on arms for hostage.
- Became associate deputy director for operations April 1988.
Weinberger, Casper W.
- Secretary of Defense.
- Participated in many aspects of arms-for-hostage even though he did approve.
- June 16, 1992 indicted.
- Counts dropped or reduce.
- Bush pardonned him December 24, 1992.
Weir, Benjamin
Kidnapped in Beirut May 8, 1984.
Released September 14, 1985 as result in Isreali arms shipment to Iran.
ORGANIZATIONS
Dawa al-Islamiya
Dissident Iraqi Shiite political party headquartered in Teheran
Enterprise
Designation by Secord and Hakim to describe operation of arms sales and contra resupply
North referred in congressional hearing as "off the shelf", self-sustaining and outside
congressional control.
Hezbollah
"Party of God". Loose unconnected group of Shiite. Goal to spread Islamic revolution
funded by Iran.
International Business Communications (IBC)
Washington, DC public relations firm. Founded by RWR campaign aide Richard Miller.
Bridge between administration's Contra aid program and public diplomacy campaign to win
Congressional support.
Islamic Jihad
Terrorist group based in Lebanon, reported to have ties to Hezbollah, and support from Iran's
Revolutionary Guard Corps. Responsible for kidnapping of Americans in Lebanon.
National Endowment for the Preservation of Liberty (NEPL)
Washington, DC based tax-exempt fund raising and public realtions firm. Founded by Carl
"Spitz" Channell. Raised $10 million with help of IBC director Richard Miller. Money went
to Contra resupply and congressional lobbying
Nicaraguan Democratic Force (FDN)
Founded in 1981 in Guatemala City. Became largest and most active Contra group receiving
most of aid money. Closely associated with CIA/NSC operations.
Nicaraguan Humanitarian Assistance Office (NHAO)
Created August 15, 1985 after Congresss passed nonlethal aid bill $27 million. Became part
of Contra resupply without Congressional knowledge.
Office of Public Diplomacy for Latin America and the Caribbean (S/LPD)
Created July 1983. "Public diplomacy" mandated by NSDD77. Housed in State Department,
but reported directly to NSC. Worked closely with North in secert "Political action"
programs, "white paper operations," and working with private-sector public-relations firms to
lobby congress.
h3>United Nicaraguan Opposition (NUO)
Founded June 1985 to portray to congress a united front of Contras. Leaders were Adolfo
Calero, Alfonso Robelo, and Arturo Cruz, Sr. (the "Triple A"). Calero and military
commander Bermudez controlled until March 1987 when Cruz pulled out because of
infighting.
LEGAL EVENTS
Arms Export Control Act of 1976
Prohibited US arms sold to one country from being transfer to another country.
Boland Amendment II
Passes October 1984. Designed to sstop funding for covert operations.
Economy Act of 1915
Allowed the transfer of arms from one agency to another so long as they were paid back. Did
not require notifing congress. Method use to transfer weapons from Defense to CIA.
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended
Framework for foreign aid. Hughes-Ryan Amendment passed 1974. Required presidential
Finding for CIA foreign operation"important to the national security" before funds can be
expended. Congress must be informed.
The Contra Humanitarian Assistance Bill
Signed into law August 1985, provided $27 million for non-lethal assistance to Contras.
RWR created Nicaraguan Humanitarian Assistance Office (NHAO) within State Department
to administer funds.
National Security Decision Directive 77 (NSDD 77)
Signed by RWR January 14, 1983. Mandates creation of a "public diplomacy" bureau for
domestic and foriegn information campaign. Focus was winning public debate over assistance
to Contras.
National Security Decision Directive Draft of 11 June 1985
Study by CIA's Graham Fuller, NSC drafted NSDD, "US Policy toward Iran".
Opposed by Secretary of State George Shultz and Defense Secretary Casper Weinberger.
Proposed "selected military equiptment" be supplied to Iran.
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