Congress has escalated its investigations into the Clinton Administration's secret policy of approving Iranian arms shipments to Bosnia. On April 24, House Speaker Newt Gingrich announced the formation of a select House International Relations subcommittee to examine the policy implications of the President's decision to give tacit approval to the shipments. The investigations will focus on whether the policy was legal, whether the Administration undertook a covert arms operation, whether it deceived Congress, whether the policy adversely affected U.S. relations with its allies, and whether the policy allowed Iran to cultivate closer political relations with Bosnia and use the country as a base for intelligence or terrorist operations. While the Congressional moves are unlikely to reveal an illegal, covert operation, and while they are certainly not devoid of partisan political considerations, the Administration's conflicting secret and public policies, conflicting statements to the Congress, and refusals to cooperate during early Congressional inquiries into the issue reveal a series of contradictions and inconsistencies. Arms Sales Monitor No.
Sales Monitor No.
Proposals to Enhance Congressional Oversight H. Rpt. 104-18 Part 1. 104-18 Part 2.