CIA OVERSPENT CONGRESSIONAL LIMIT IN NICARAGUA, COMMITTEE SAYS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00552R000404440087-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 29, 2010
• Sequence Number: 87
• Publication Date: June 14, 1984
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/29: CIA-RDP90-00552R000404440087-2
?r ASSOCIATED PRESS
14 June 1984
CIA OVERSPENT CONGRESSIONAL LIMIT IN NICARAGUA, COMMITTEE SAYS
BY W. DALE NELSON
WASHINGTON
THE ''OUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE SAYS THE CIA
EXCEEDED R S2YILLIOW CONGRESSIONAL LIMIT ON RID TO REBELS FIGHTING
THE LEFTIST GOVERNMENT OF NICARAGUA BUT DID NOT INTEND TO "EVADE THE
LAW.
IN A STATEMENT FOLLOWING A CLOSED-DOOR MEETING WITH CIA OFFICIALS
XEDNESDRY! THE DEMDCRRT-CONTROLLED COMMITTEE SAID IT TOLD CIA
OFFICIALS IT WAS DISTURBED BY THE OVERSPENDING AND WOULD GIVE "EVER
CLOSER SCRUTINY TO CIA BUDGET AND ACCOUNTING PRACTICES.'l
SEN. DANIEL PATRICK "OYNIHANt-.Y.! CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE
INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE! WHICH MET WITH C:A OFFICIALS ON THE SUBJECT
TUESDAY, SAID THE PANEL MRS SATISFIED WITH THEIR EXPLANATION BUT WOULD
ASK CIA LAWYERS FOR A LEGAL OPINION.
'DYNIHAN SAID THE AMOUNT SPENT ON THE OPERATION WAS "CONSIDERABLY
LESS" THAN $:. MILLION IN EXCESS OF THE LIMIT. THE `OUSE COMMITTEE
STATEMENT ALSO SAID IT MRS LESS THAN 51 MILLION.
":ERNWHILEF SENATE `RJORITY LEADER '`OWARD ''. 3RXER JR. s A-TENN.) SAID
THE SENATE WILL RCT SOONf PROBABLY NEXT WEEK, ON ITS DISAGREEMENT
WITH THE ;;",OUSE OVER WHETHER TO GIVE THE C:A AN ADDITIONAL S2! MILLION
FOR THE NICARAGUAN OPERATION.
THE SENATE HAS ALREADY APPROVED THE FUNDS AS PART OF A S=.= BILLION
EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION BILL FOR VARIOUS GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS. THE
LOUSE APPROVED THE OTHER RPPROPRIATIONS1 INCLUDING $62 MILLION IN
MILITARY AID FOR EL SRLVRDORI BUT REFUSED ANY MONEY FOR THE NICARAGUAN
UNDERCOVER AID.
THE LOUSE COMMITTEE SAID IT QUESTIONED CIO OFFICIALS ABOUT "CERTR:N
TYPES OF EXPENSES SUCH AS PERSONNEL AND SOME OVERHEAD COSTS" THAT
THE AGENCY HAD MDT COUNTED TOWARD THE $24 MILLION LIMIT.
"a MAJORITY OF THE COMMITTEE BELIEVES THAT THE STATUTE IS
UNAMBIGUOUS AND THAT SUCH EXPENDITURES SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED UNDER
THE CRPs" THE STATEMENT SAID.
'THE FACT THAT THE AGENCY NEVER QUESTIONED ITS ROUTINE ACCOUNTING
PRACTICES IN THIS CASE DISTURBS THE MAJORITY OF THE COMMITTEE. 'HIS
MRS MADE CLEAR TO AGENCY OFFICIRLS."
Continued
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/29: CIA-RDP90-00552R000404440087-2