ASSESSING THE POLITICAL FALLOUT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90B01390R000100090023-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 7, 2012
• Sequence Number: 23
• Publication Date: October 17, 1986
• Content Type: MEMO

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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/07: CIA-RDP90B01390R000100090023-5
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/07: CIA-RDP90B01390R000100090023-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/07: CIA-RDP90B01390R000100090023-5
RADIO Tv
REPORTS,
INC.
4701 WILLARD AVENUE, CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND 20815 [phone]
PUBLIC AFFAIRS STAFF
PROGRAM
NBC Nightly News STATION
WRC TV
NBC Network
DATE
October 16, 1986 7:00 PM
Washington, DC
SUBJECT
Assessing the Political Fallout
TOM BROKAW: The government of El Salvador says that the
known death toll from last Friday's earthquake now is 982. But
unofficial reports put. that toll at much higher figures.
Secretary of State George Shultz made a three-and-a-
half'-hour visit there today. He offered $50 million in American
aid with a promise to try to get more.
But as NBC's Anne Garrels reports from San Salvador
tonight, the earthquake was not the only event in that region
troubling Shultz today.
SEC. OF STATE GEORGE SHULTZ: The people in the United
States are going to help you.
ANNE CARRELS: Secretary of State Shultz came to a
country in shock to show American support. He and his wife
toured the areas hit hardest by the earthquake assessing what
needs to be done. Shultz also came here to assess the political
fallout following reports that Nicaraguan rebels have been based
at Salvador's military airport with American help.
According to Salvadoran officials, President Duarte is
now in a difficult political situation. Right after he denied
any knowledge of the contra operation, Vice President Bush linked
him to it.
U.S. officials say the contra operation will now be
moved to an island off Honduras, far from public scrutiny.
Salvador's cooperation has been key to contra operations
since 1983 when a plane based here bombed Managua's Sandino
OFHCES IN: WASHINGTON D.C. ? NEW YORK ? LOS ANGELES ? CHICAGO ? DETROIT ? AND OTHER PRINCIPAL CITIES
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/07: CIA-RDP90B01390R000100090023-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/07: CIA-RDP90B01390R000100090023-5
Airport. According to U.S. officials, the CIA set up a small
contra air force in El Salvador. When Congress prohibited
official U.S. involvement, the administration organized an
elaborate private network, complying with the letter if not the
spirit of the law.
Last year Honduras barred the use of its airport after
NBC filmed a supply delivery. More and more supplies have been
moved through Salvador, hundreds of missions called essential for
keeping the contra effort alive.
Secretary of State Shultz wouldn't discuss the contras,
but privately, officials say, they were lucky the Salvadoran
operation lasted as long as it did.
Anne Carrels, NBC News, San Salvador.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/07 : CIA-RDP90B01390R000100090023-5