TIMELINES: The International Court of Justice found the U.S. guilty in what case on June 27, 1986?

Monday, June 27, 2011

The International Court of Justice found the U.S. guilty in what case on June 27, 1986?

On June 27, 1986, the International Court of Justice, under the United Nations, finds the United States guilty of violating international law by supporting and arming paramilitary operations, carried out by the Nicaraguan Contras, in and against the Nicaraguan government. Covert U.S. operations in the 1980s are focused on overthrowing Nicaraguas leftist government. The Court demands Washington pay reparations to Nicaragua, but the United States refuses to recognize the ruling. Domestically, in November 1986, it comes to light that the United States sold arms to Iran, to fund the Contras, as well as secure the release of hostages held by Hezbollah. The Iran-Contra affair remains one of the biggest political scandals in U.S. history. In 1991, at the request of the Nicaraguan government, the Court drops the case from the Courts list. On Thursday, United States Defense Secretary Robert Gates will retire from his post after 4.5 years, having served under both former President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama. Considered by some to be the best Defense Secretary in U.S. history, Gates has been at the helm of the United States Department of Defense for substantial portions of the wars in Iraq (the first one) and Afghanistan. Although Gates public service record is, for the most part, lauded as a success, Gates role in the Iran-Nicaraguan affair is still being debated. At the time of the controversy, Gates was the number two official at the CIA.


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