EFL from MRC
9/11: Reaganâs fault? CBS was first out of the blocks Monday night with a story on âblemishesâ in Ronald Reaganâs record as President, but instead of an even-handed review of Iran/Contra, Dan Rather and Bill Plante painted it in the most ominous light, implying that it somehow led to âthe rise of Islamic fundamentalism.â Rather asked: âIs or is not America still paying a price for whatâs called the Iran/Contra debacle?â Plante answered in the affirmative: âAn arms control agreement with the Soviet Union refurbished President Reaganâs image, but U.S. efforts to deal with the tough issues in the Middle East went on hold, helping to set the stage for the first Iraq war and the rise of Islamic fundamentalism.â Plante justified his conclusion by claiming Iran/Contra meant that ârelations with Iran deteriorated furtherâ and âIraq, which the Reagan administration had backed in its war against Iran, went on to use chemical weapons in 1988 with little protest from the U.S.â So the 9/11 terrorist attack on the U.S. AND Saddam Hussein using chemical weapons are both Reaganâs fault?
Before an ad break on the June 7 CBS Evening News, Rather plugged the upcoming âReality Checkâ on Reaganâs legacy: âStraight ahead now on the CBS Evening News, President Reagan and the missiles-for-Iran deal. Is or is not America still paying a price for whatâs called the Iran/Contra debacle?â Rather set up the subsequent story: âRonald Reagan was and is one of the most popular Presidents in U.S. history, and with good reason: He accomplished a lot. That does not mean his record is without questions and, in fact, blemishes. Tonight, CBSâs Bill Plante, who covered the Reagan White House, begins a week-long series assessing the Reagan legacy.â Plante began: âThe most serious crisis of Ronald Reaganâs two terms, and the lowest point in his popularity, came after the revelation that his administration had secretly sold arms to Iran and turned over the profits to rebels fighting the Marxist government of Nicaragua.â Plante, in Reagan era press conference: âDid you make a mistake in sending arms to Tehran, sir?â
Ronald Reagan: âNo, and Iâm not taking any more questions-â
Plante: âReaganâs national security staff approached Iran in an effort to free American hostages being held in Lebanon, despite a vow that the administration would never negotiate with terrorists. At first, President Reagan denied that it had happened.â
Reagan, in November 13, 1986 speech from Oval Office: âWe did not, repeat, did not trade weapons, or anything else, for hostages.â
Plante: âBut two investigations showed that Mr. Reagan had, in fact, signed off on the weapons shipments, and in early 1987 he reversed his denial.â
Edmund Morris, Reagan biographer, clip #1: âIt is, without question, a crisis brought through his own fault.â
Morris, clip #2: âAnd the public perceived him, therefore, as somebody who couldnât see his own actions in a negative light.â
Plante: âThe fallout was severe, softened only by the Presidentâs willingness to accept personal responsibility.â
Condoleezza Rice, National Security Advisor: âPresident Reagan understood that this had happened in his administration. He was straightforward in having it investigated by the Tower Commission, they made changes. And thatâs the way that we have to deal with any difficulties.â
Plante: âThe Presidentâs full disclosure at home, however, didnât salvage U.S. policy in the Middle East. Relations with Iran deteriorated further. Iraq, which the Reagan administration had backed in its war against Iran, went on to use chemical weapons in 1988 with little protest from the U.S.â
Jon Alterman, Mideast analyst: âWhen it came time to really having partnerships and policies that move forward in the Middle East, there wasnât a lot positive happening on the ground.â
Plante concluded: âAn arms control agreement with the Soviet Union refurbished President Reaganâs image, but U.S. efforts to deal with the tough issues in the Middle East went on hold, helping to set the stage for the first Iraq war and the rise of Islamic fundamentalism. Bill Plante, CBS News.â |