COVERT ACTION/NICARAGUA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88-01070R000100650015-8
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 21, 2007
• Sequence Number: 15
• Publication Date: April 11, 1983
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Approved For Release 2007/05/21: CIA-RDP88-01070R000100650015-8
RADIO N REPORTS, INC.
4701 WILLARD AVENUE, CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND 20815 656-4068
PROGRAM ABC World News Tonight
STATION WJLA-TV
ABC Network
DATE April 11, 1983 7:00 P.M. CITY Washington, D.C.
Covert Action/Nicaragua
FRANK REYNOLDS: The law would seem to be clear. The
United States, specifically the CIA, is forbidden to help any
group whose purpose is to overthrow the government of Nicaragua.
Yet there have been many reports that the U.S. and the CIA is
doing just that.
And tonight, Pentagon correspondent John McWethy has
this report on what he has learned from people who know what's
going on.
JOHN MCWETHY: U.S. intelligence sources tell ABC News
that the CIA, with full cooperation from the U.S. military, has
set up a coordinated communications network and reconnaissance
operation to help the so-called Contra rebels with military
efforts against Nicaragua.
Sources say there are two types of reconnaissance
efforts, one involving American spy planes, the other infil-
tration of CIA operatives into Nicaragua, all with the purpose of
tracking Nicaraguan troops movements that might threaten the
American-backed Contra insurgents.
Many of the insurgents were associated with Anastasio
Somoza, the deposed Nicaraguan dictator.
Sources say the CIA has tried to limit the number of
operatives who are American citizens, for fear they could be
caught inside Nicaragua and embarrass the U.S. Intelligence
sources claim there are approximately 100 U.S. citizens involved
and hundreds of others who are not American but are paid by the
CIA. Their job: to fund, train and guide the rebels in the
fight against the government of Nicaragua.
Material supplied by Radio N Reports, Inc. may be used for tile and reference purposes only. It may not be reproduced, sold or publicly demonstrated or exhibited.
Approved For Release 2007/05/21: CIA-RDP88-01070R000100650015-8
 Approved For Release 2007/05/21: CIA-RDP88-0107OR000100650015-8
In addition, sources claim that last year the CIA bought
about a dozen small boats in the U.S. and modified them with
machine gun mounts. The boats have been used by CIA operatives
to patrol waterways used by Nicaragua to run guns to anti-
American rebels in El Salvador.
In addition, the U.S. Navy has increased its presence
off the coast of Nicaragua, using radar aboard two frigates to
help with the operation.
Approved For Release 2007/05/21: CIA-RDP88-0107OR000100650015-8