1. Iran/Contra The link between secret arms sales to Iran and covert military aid to rebels in Nicaragua. Story Begins in 1979: Nicaragua elects “Sandanista Government”

2. U.S. Pres. Reagan supports “Contra rebels” The rebels, aka “freedom fighters” were supported by US Military & CIA

3. Congress Opposed Boland amendment banned CIA & Dept. of Defense from aiding the rebels

4. Conspiracy Developed National Security Council, an advisory unit in EOP, “went operational”, aiding the Contras NSC Dir. Robt. McFarlane spearheaded effort Separate Initiative: Secret sales of missiles to Iran (illegal because Iran was a “terrorist nation”) Used profits to help the Contras

5. Scandal exposed in 1986 Reagan initially denied accusations Later appeared on TV to admit that his staff had illegally aided the rebels

6. North & NSC Defiant with Congress

7. Criminal Convictions of NSC staff & directors Lt. Col. Oliver North Convicted 1988 Destroying and falsifying documents Illegally receiving personal gifts Obstructing Cong’l investigation Conviction reversed on technical grounds

8. NSC Director: Adm. John Poindexter Convicted 1988 Criminal Conspiracy Obstructing Criminal investigation Obstructing Congress Conviction Reversed on Technical grounds "I made a very deliberate decision not to tell the president so that I could insulate him from the decision…”

9. CIA indictments Clair E. George, CIA, chief of covert operations Duane R. Clarridge, chief of operations for the C.I.A., 1991: indicted for perjury

10. Alan D. Fiers Head of C.I.A. Latin America task force 1991: pleads guilty (withholding evidence from Congress) 1 yr probation & community service

11. Elliott L. Abrams Assistant Secretary of State 1991, pleads guilty withholding info from Congress

12. Defense Secretary Indicted Caspar Weinberger 1992: indicted, lying to Congress

13. Pardoned Dec. 24, 1992 Pres. George Bush pardoned Weinberger McFarlane Abrams George Clarridge Fiers Bush said the "common denominator of their motivation -- whether their actions were right or wrong -- was patriotism."