THE TOWER COMMISSION REPORT : KEY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

Like the report of the Senate Intelligence Committee issued earlier this year, the Tower Commission’s findings still do not answer a number of key questions about the Iran- contra affair--leaving considerable work to be done by congressional investigators and the independent counsel. Among these unanswered questions are:

Contra Funds

How much money was diverted to the Nicaraguan rebels and who received it? The Tower Commission acknowledged it found no “hard proof” that a diversion actually occurred, even though it found evidence that it probably happened and it determined that excess profits of about $23 million were available for this purpose.

Israeli Arms Shipments

Did President Reagan approve an Israeli shipment of arms to Iran in late 1985? The President himself told the commission that he cannot remember whether he approved the shipment in advance, but the board concluded that he probably did approve the plan in August, 1985.

North’s Involvement

How did former White House aide Oliver L. North initially become involved in directing a supply operation for the contras and who approved it? The board found no evidence that North’s contra supply activities were ever discussed with the President, but it is clear that his immediate superiors were aware of it.

Did North ever seek permission from then National Security Adviser John M. Poindexter to divert money from the Iranian arms sales to the contras? North wrote an unsigned memo in April, 1986, that suggested that $12 million in profits could be used to help the contras, but there is no evidence that Poindexter ever received it.

The Hostages

Why did the President agree to continue shipments of arms to Iran for a 10-month period, even though the shipments failed to win the release of any hostages? The commission said the program should have been reconsidered at several points during this period.

The Beginning

How did the Iranian initiative begin and what was the role of Israel in its inception? The commission was unable to determine whether it began as “an Israeli initiative . . . brought on by the avarice of arms dealers” or as an American request for assistance from Israel.

Cover-up

Was there an orchestrated cover-up by the Reagan Administration? Although the board found no evidence that the President ordered a cover-up, it determined that a number of Administration officials took steps to limit public disclosure of the full story.