Nicaragua: the price of intervention Kornbluh 1987- chronicles Reagan administration total war

against Nicaragua from 1981-1987 US heavy Reagan doctrine of proxy intervention in the third world not departure from cold war but an expression of it Idea that US would not only contain, but roll back revolution and Nicaragua became centrepiece of this strategy. If US succeeded there that would be resurrection of America the powerful (post-Vietnam and having USSR as equal) Had to win because influence in third world depended on it 2 aspects clear departure from US Polices: 1. 2. Overt covert action- signals end of any respect of international law (disdain for international law and institutions most notable innovation of Reagan era) Limits Reagan couldnt get proper support for his actions

US policy less about Sandinista and more about presumptions of US need to control Central America Reagan made counterrevolution in Nicaragua his administrations foremost foreign policy goal. Vietnam meant couldnt just go to war anymore Reagan doctrine instead wages a war not called a war a war that employs politico-military strategy known in the jargon on the pentagon as low intensity conflict political, social, economic and psychological effects 3 components: 1. Most visible part of campaign is CIAs covert war through the contra army which it funds, equips and commands agency has pillaged Nicaraguan countryside in a campaign designed to undermine the economy and incite internal upheaval Also program of economic destabilization by contracting bilateral trade and aid as well as multilateral assistance unprecedented military build-up in Central America and continual exercise in the region part of a psychological operation to instil uncertainty in the Nicaraguan government and fear of invasion by the populace final target enlisting hearts and minds at home by manipulating public perceptions of US policy in Nicaragua

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6years of official exaggeration, misinformation and rhetorical fabrication have obscured how US intervention in Nicaragua evolved, why it continues and most importantly what it means for our society. Setting the stage: carter and the revolution Reagan accused carter of being soft on Nicaraguans Reality 1978-79 Carter US policy goals during the insurrection against Somoza was to prevent FSLN to gain power. Somoza was expendable but institutional structure of the regime, particularly the Nicaraguan national guard, had to be saved to stop the Sandinista led revolution Somoza had bad image and was not that good to have as an ally Thought it could get him to resign could put in someone more moderate and FSLn wouldnt be able to play prominent roles in post-Somoza Gov.

Tried to orchestrate him getting out but failed. Eventually Somoza and family fled to Miami, the National Guard leaders fled to an it disintegrated as did the constitutional care taker Gov. US took on cautious accommodation, even providing aid At same time, covertly letting Nicaraguan national guard commanders to flee to Miami where they could reorganize and in late 1980 Carter let CIA give money to anti-Sandinistas labour, press, political orgs

Contras Several groups undertook terrorism FDN got bulk of CIA help money and manuals Killed civilians and others CIA had manuals on how to effectively cause economic damage and who to target in killings to destabilise government Contras could invade and slaughter but couldnt establish themselves as viable guerrilla force Sept 1983-april 1984 CIA undertook own operations bombed, planted mines missions deemed too complicated for contras. Stepped in because FDN wasnt getting anything done and were getting bothered by congress. Got FDN and ARDE to take credit basically covered it up Feb March 1984 mines deposited in Nicaraguan harbours, blamed FDN and ARDE first, then admitted it was them. Damaged international ships. Eventually trade stopped, CIA scored economic success, value lost to Nicaragua estimated at $10 million Many European countries opposed this as it breached several international treaties ICJ rules against the US Whole event brought covert war to surface of US Politics galvanised congressional opposition provoking most significant crises of confidence Congress hugely opposed mining operation but was disingenuous because protestations came weeks after knowledge of mines, and they have been passing bills allowing contra funding Boland amendment in 1982 passed that was supposed to stop any attempts at overthrowing Nicaraguan Gov. but allowed CIA operations to continue. Passed but completely ignored in practice 1983 house of representatives passed resolution to ban aid to contras but Reagan ignored Congress agreed on a moratorium in 1984 to stop any further aid to contras until 1985 and then could only be restored by approval from congress But basically clear that Reagan would continue his war no matter what Officials travelled to reassure that US still supported them To fulfil promise organised an elaborate surrogate supply system project democracy in violation of Boland amendment When money starting to run out, used other means of getting money. Maze of dummy corporations, international bank accounts, arms brokers and shipping companies, even fake charities used to funnel money to buy weapons for contras. Millions being processed At behest of US, friendly foreign Gov. contributed to resupply operations. Eg Saudi Arabia (most important role- did it to get US planes), Israel, Brunei, Taiwan, Chile, Guatemala, el Salvador, Honduras services the covert war after congress banned US official support Contra charities sprang up across US on Reagans encouragement said were helping refugees but meant money was just being used to buy more weapons since didnt have to pay for the food etc.

Economics Somoza and followers looted central bank when they left, leaving Nicaragua with nothing and inherited $1.6 billion debt Carter administrated just under $20 million in aid

Military -

Congress sent $60 mil though final $15 mil not given because thought Nicaragua supporting el Salvador left for Reagan to give Reagan said immediately he wouldnt be supporting them as long as they betray their neighbours and suspended all support State dept. admitted no basis in this claim while they did it anyway Curtailing US trade with Nicaragua was second tactic in economic war 1981 Washington terminated export import bank guarantees meant Nicaraguan businesses couldnt borrow on credit. Created unfavourable sugar schedule Shut down consulates where Nicaraguans usually discussed business with American companies again thwarted economic ability Cut sugar quota by 90% in 1983 favourable US sugar prices meant it was huge economic blow to Nicaragua as world prices were lower also provoked international condemnation and violated GATT treaty- international panel of judges ruled against US but Reagan did nothing about it May 1985 full trade embargo Nicaragua was still heavily reliant on trade despite a decline in trade relations But failed to wreck economy Sandinistas anticipated embargo and diversified with other trade partners. US failed to get support so Nicaragua able to transfer some trade to other countries. Also damaged private businesses the most and they complained this damaged their political base Most Latin American countries responded to US actions towards Nicaragua by trying to further expand own trade relation with the country Reagan also tried to halt money and trade from western Europe Completely failed, EEC rejected not including Nicaragua and many countries actively tried to offset effects of US embargo by buying things they never sued to buy eg Belgium bananas, Italy and Canada gave loans or donations Trade with eastern European countries also expanded greatly USSR helped but not as much as it helped closer political allies like Cuba But still affected greatly, start of 1986 330% Inflation, limited supply of basic goods, gas rationed, spending for social programs had to be frozen bad cos thats what Sandinista gov all about Had to also spend money on fighting contras. By 1985, Nicaraguas external debt stood at $4.7 billion Cumulative damages of US economic aggression reached over $1 billion

Military intervention always on the table Didnt think like Vietnam because smaller and closer But Reagan preferred gun boat diplomacy where just do threatening war games