Your adherence to the rule of law is admirable. Here is a view of the boland amendment:
The Boland Amendment
Initially passed on December 8, 1982, this amendment to the War Powers Act of 1973, states that U.S. Agencies are prohibited from providing military equipment, training or support to anyone "for the purpose of overthrowing the Government of Nicaragua."
The literal purpose was to prevent any CIA funds or support to go to the Sadinista (rebels fighting against the communist Nicaraguan government). Congress felt this was necessary because the Reagan administration had pledged to support the Contras in their battle for freedom for their country. Unfortunately a very left leaning Democratic Congress prohibited the administration from continuing funding to support the Contras at a critical time. As it became evident this was a mistake, Congress repealed the Amendment and re-instituted the funding. ContraEventually the U.S. and Contra pressure resulted in democratic elections in Nicaragua.
The actual wording of the Amendment was interpreted to disallow only U.S. Intelligence Agencies, thus allowing members of the staff of the NSC (which is not an Intelligence Agency of the U.S. government) to route funds to the Contras. A angry democratic Congress responded by attempting to prosecute Col. Oliver North, Adm. John Poindexter and others in a set of public hearings. North was convicted on a number of charges but finally exonerated of all but a minor infraction, Adm. John Poindextor (ret'd) was convicted of lieing to Congress.
(My note): So you see, not only did the Congress resume funding, but the National Security Staff did not break the letter of the law. By the premises you have laid out, then, since the operation was legal, there was no murder. Not only that, but the round-about funding came during a mere lull in Congressional support, thus ratifying the democratic nature of the operation. It was conceded at the time, by the way, that the letter of the law had not been broken, with much harrumphing about violating its spirit. The Congressional decision to rescind the measure preempted litigation. |
