The Nation - News from Sept. 19, 1988

The Army has nominated for promotion to general an officer who played a central role in former White House aide Oliver L. North’s operations to aid the Nicaraguan Contras, Army records show. Nominated last month was Col. James Steele, 42, who coordinated secret flights by North’s private aid network in El Salvador and acted as liaison between the group and the El Salvador government. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) said he intends to challenge Steele’s promotion when the Army’s list of nominees for brigadier general is submitted to the Senate for confirmation.