| Iran contra figure back { December 3 2002 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1842-2002Dec3.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1842-2002Dec3.html
Iran-Contra Figure Named To Senior Post In White House
From News Services Tuesday, December 3, 2002; Page A02
Iran-contra figure Elliott Abrams, who has served in the White House for more than a year, has been promoted to a key post among President Bush's national security aides.
Abrams was appointed to lead the National Security Council's office for Near East and North African affairs. The senior director job oversees Arab-Israeli relations and U.S. efforts to promote peace in the troubled region.
His appointment, which does not require Senate confirmation, was announced yesterday by Bush's national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice.
Meanwhile, U.S. special Afghan envoy Zalmay Khalilzad will take on the Iraq portfolio titled "special envoy and ambassador at large for free Iraqis," the White House said.
Abrams has headed the NSC's office for democracy, human rights and international operations since June 2001.
An assistant secretary of state for Latin America during the Reagan administration, Abrams was a fierce advocate of military support for Nicaraguan rebels, known as contras, despite Congress's ban on military aid to the anti-government guerrillas.
He pleaded guilty in 1991 to two misdemeanor counts of withholding information from Congress. Abrams received a Christmas Eve pardon from President George H.W. Bush in 1992.
The White House said Khalilzad "will serve as the focal point for contacts and coordination among free Iraqis for the United States government and for preparations for a post-Saddam Hussein Iraq."
© 2002 The Washington Post Company
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