End+to+the+Support+for+the+Contras+in+Nicaragua+G6

=End to the Support for the Contras in Nicaragua-1992=

Overview
The Contras is a label given to various rebel gropus that opposed the Frente Sandinista de Liberacion Nacional. The contra movement included a variety of separate groups, the Nicaraguan Democratic Force was the largest. By 1987, almost all the groups were united into the Nicaraguan Resistance. The group received financial and military support from the Central Intelligence Agency. The CIA and Argentine Intelligence persuaded the 15th of September Legion and the UDN to merge and become the Nicaraguan Democratic Force. The FDN drew in rebel groups from the north.

==Central Issue== The Sandinistas were constantly accusing the Contras of attacks on civilians. The Contras made the same claims against the Sandinistas. A report issued by lawyer Reed Brody stated that the Contras on occasion attacked purely civilian targets. Their tactics included murder, kidnapping, and beatings. The America Watch accused the Contras of kidnapping, executing civilians, and seizing civilian property. American News media constantly accused American Watch of bias and unreliable reporting. The media alleged that the American news media accused the Contras too much and tried to discredit the Nicaraguan human rights groups.

Conclusion/Historical Significance
Ronald Reagan was a key part of the Contras successes. Reagan accused the Sandinistas of importing Cuban-Style socialism and aiding leftist guerillas in El Salvador. Reagan signed a top secret National Decision Directive 17, which allowed the CIA to recruit and support the Contras by aiding them with $19 million. Administration officials looked to arrange the funding and military supplies by third parties. These attempts culminated in the Iran-Contra Affair, which gave the Contras money through the Iran arms sales. On February 3, 1988 the House of Representatives rejected Reagan's request for $36.25 million to aid the Contras.