The Rag Blog: Iran Contra Redux

12 November 2006

Iran Contra Redux

Now it's understandable why W nominated Robert Gates (see this). It all becomes clear ....

U.S. seeks better ties by aiding militaries
Updated 11/10/2006 8:09 AM ET
By Barbara Slavin, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — Concern about leftist victories in Latin America has prompted President Bush to quietly grant a waiver that allows the United States to resume training militaries from 11 Latin American and Caribbean countries.

The administration hopes the training will forge links with countries in the region and blunt a leftward trend. Daniel Ortega, a nemesis of the United States in the region during the 1980s, was elected president in Nicaragua this week. Bolivians chose another leftist, Evo Morales, last year.

A military training ban was originally designed to pressure countries into exempting U.S. soldiers from war crimes trials.

The 2002 U.S. law bars countries from receiving military aid and training if they refuse to promise immunity from prosecution to U.S. servicemembers who might get hauled before the International Criminal Court. The law allows presidential waivers.

Read the rest here, plus sparse commentary about it here and here.

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