NOW IT'S U.S. BACKING REBELS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00965R000504200003-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 12, 2012
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: January 27, 1986
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

STAT..
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP90-00965R000504200003-1
ARTICLE APPtANtu
ON ME Z._- U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
27 January 1986
`Reagan doctrine' stirs argument at home, battles abroad
Now it's U.S. backing rebels
^ An emerging "Reagan doctrine" of
aid to anti-Soviet guerrillas has set off
bitter debate in every corner of the
Washington political arena.
At the heart of the issue: The Presi-
dent's growing support for rebels
against pro-Soviet governments around
the world. U.S. funds already support
guerrillas in Afghanistan and Kampu-
chea. In his budget on February 3,
Reagan will ask for some $70 million in
military aid for the contras in Nicara-
gua. Still under debate within the ad-
ministration are terms of aid to insur-
gents in Angola.
The controversy is developing as a
key one between Reagan and Congress.
White House officials rule out com-
mitments that might lead to direct U.S.
military involvement. Even so, many
lawmakers in both parties fear that the
administration might let itself be drawn
into conflict.
Lines of dispute do not follow the
usual pattern of liberals vs. conserva-
tives. In fact, the administration, while
encouraging Kampuchean insurgents,
resists giving them money advocated by
Democrats.
There are divisions even within the
administration. Secretary of State
George Shultz, hawkish on behalf of
rebels in Afghanistan and Nicaragua, is
opposed to aid for those in Angola.
Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinber-
ger insists that the U.S. support anti-
Communist forces but cautions against
anything that might lead to military
involvement. CIA chief William Casey
and Patrick Buchanan. the ea ing con-
servative in the White House. have few-
er reservations about covert action.
Last year Lewis Lehrman, a conser-
vative drugstore-chain magnate, under-
scored hardline pressure on Reagan by
sponsoring a meeting of rebel factions in
Angola. Later this month, conservatives
are bringing Jonas Savimbi, the Angolan
rebel leader, to Washington.
The President seems inclined to pur-
sue, but cautiously, a doctrine spawned
by a curious twist of political fates. Only
a decade ago, support for guerrilla
movements was the near exclusive prov-
ince of the Soviets. But the very success
of Soviet clients, leading them to power
in several countries, has reversed super-
power roles. The Reagan doctrine aims
to recover lost ground and expand
American influence in the Third World.
"We can hardly turn on those who
have lost their freedom," Weinberger
said in a January 14 speech detailing
America's interests at a conference on
low-intensity warfare jargon that em-
braces guerrilla wars.
Although the doctrine's most dra-
matic manifestation is support for
armed insurgents, U.S. officials empha-
size its peaceful aspect as well. Wash-
ington remains committed, they say, to
developing economies and democratic
institutions in troubled countries. The
impulse for the doctrine appears rooted
in Reagan's stated sense of moral obli-
gation to export democracy and free
enterprise and his resolve to roll back
Soviet advances where possible. Yet the
realities of limited resources, world
opinion and internal debate work
against outright success. Divisions
within rebel groups, the ineffectiveness
of some and the suspect politics of oth-
ers have fueled the U.S. argument over
who is worthy of support and the form
it should take.
Four places where his doctrine al-
ready is at work, or could be soon-
A clear test of Rea-
gan's commitment is
Angola, where South
African-backed insur-
gents of Jonas Savimbi's
I UNITA have fought
the Soviet-and-Cuban-
backed regime for more than a decade.
The administration voices sympathy
for Savimbi. but has opposed legislation
to grant open military or humanitarian
aid. Instead, Reagan is leaning toward
a request for some 15 million in covert
aid. His concern is that overt support
would doom U.S. efforts to negotiate
remova nf 101M u an troops in re-
Continrll
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP90-00965R000504200003-1