Reagan Bars NSC Staff From Covert Actions, Orders Study of Programs

President Reagan, following up on recommendations of the Tower Commission, on Tuesday barred the staff of the National Security Council from undertaking covert activities.

In a directive implementing the commission’s recommendations, which followed a review of the Iran- contra affair, Reagan also called for a review of all covert action programs, to be completed by April 30.

Urged ‘Precise Procedures’

In its report on Feb. 26, the commission, headed by former Sen. John Tower (R-Tex.), recommended that each Administration formulate and follow “precise procedures for restricted consideration of covert action.”

“The Reagan Administration established such procedures in January, 1985, then promptly ignored them in their consideration of the Iran initiative,” the panel said.

In his directive, Reagan ordered the NSC’s Planning and Coordination Group to review all covert action programs.

“This review is designed to ensure that such programs are commenced and pursued in accordance with law and are consistent with United States policy,” he said. He directed the group to report its findings within 30 days for review by the NSC.

Calls for Changes

Reagan also ordered the NSC to recommend changes in procedures for approving and coordinating covert action. He told his national security adviser, Frank C. Carlucci, to present proposed recommendations to the NSC by the April 30 deadline.

Reagan said that these changes should assure, among other things, that covert actions be coordinated with all NSC participants, including the attorney general, and that the President be told about their recommendations.