U.S./NICARAGUA OVERVIEW

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00552R000101020011-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 28, 2010
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: July 19, 1983
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/28: CIA-RDP90-00552R000101020011-7
'19 July 1983
U.S./NICARAGUA JENNINGS: Well, it's early to tell if the San proposals
OVERVIEW for regional peace are more than a public relations job. But
they are proposals pushed by other countries in the region, and
State Department sources here in Washington_do say it's a
significant departure from Sandinista positions. Nicaragua was
a major topic on Capitol Hill today. Specifically, as ABC's
Charles Gibson reports, covert American aid to the
anti-Sandinista forces. The session was important enough to be
held in secret.
GIBSON: These secret session are not taken lightly. REP.
THOMAS O'NEILL (Speaker of the House): According to the rules
of the house, the chair is now going to order that the galleries
of the House chamber shall be cleared of all persons.
GIBSON: In fact, the House has only held three since the year
1830. The press is kicked out, few staff &:e-allowed, and those
that do stay have to sign a notarized oath of silence. The
galleries are cleared and the doors are locked. They stay that
way. The issue is E.R.2760, a prohibition on covert assistance
for military operations in Nicaragua. The bill would cut off
secret aid to the rebels who are fighting the communist
government in Nicaragua. Supporters argue such aid is illegal.
But Republicans, like Florida's Bill Young of the Intelligence
Committee, have argued such aid to Nicaraguan rebels is not
illegal, and for weeks it has appeared the Republicans would win
this fight when it came to a vote. But Democrats now claim the
tide is turning. O'NEILL: I can see the sentiment gaining in
the House to cut off the covert aid.
GIBSON: Liberal Democrats just back from Nicaragua claim
Americans have no idea how deeply this country is involved.
REP. GEORGE 'KILLER (D-Calif.): And if Congress does not cut off
the funding for this secret war, in fact we will find that
Americans can look forward to deepening involvement in the
expenditure of billions of dollars.
GIBSON: Even former President Carter in Tokyo today joined the
argument. CARTER: Despite semantical denials, the United
States is directly and overtly involved in the overthrow of the,
of the Sandinista government.
GIBSON: In the secret session, Intelligence Committee Chairman
Edward Boland (D-hass.) contended that what started as a CIA
effort to stop the arms flow out of Nicaragua has become an
effort to overthrow the government there. The CIA, he
contended, is threatening increased aid to the rebels unless
Nicaragua will effect reforms. Bill Young stated the
Republican case, arguing the Intelligence Committee never
intended to prevent covert aid to Nicaraguan rebels, and Young
contended H.R.2760 will never pass the house, and Senate, and
get a presidential signature. Most members said they learned
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/28: CIA-RDP90-00552R000101020011-7