White House advises rebels

Press, 9 August 1985, Page 6

White House advises rebels

NZPA-Reuter New York Rebels fighting the Nicaraguan Government have had military advice direct from the White House National Security Council, “The New York Times” reports. This had begun last year after Congress ended United States military aid to the Right-wing rebels, the newspaper said, quoting senior Government officials and congressmen. The White House had no comment on the report.

The “Times” said that the operation to help the rebels was run by a military officer on the National Security Council, the top body advising the President on security issues. The officer, who was not

named in the report, often had met rebel leaders in Washington and on trips to Central America. He had also lectured frequently on Nicaragua and, when asked, advised people on how they might give money to the rebels.

The officer was sometimes told in advance of rebel attacks and had offered advice and direction.

The newspaper quoted congressmen as saying that the operation had not broken any United States laws but it had flouted the intent of the ban on military aid.

Congress has agreed to send the rebels SUS 27 million ($51.3 million) in non-military aid.