Case Study on the Iran-Contra Affair and Haiti"s Involvement

Description:
This is a Case Study on the Iran-Contra Affair and Haiti"s involvement.

I have already done some preliminary research and have a general framework for you to follow - they are shown below. The sources I have provided do provide some insight into the points I make into my outline (especially sources 3 and 4 referring to my primary source"s findings). I have done a decent amount of research already, feel free to add on to it.

In the outline below I make reference to specific names of important actors/ agents - please research them a bit more and build on what I have started if possible/ relevant. Do not feel obliged if it isn"t necessary to the overall paper.

Additionally, below I have added the requirements for this case study as given by the professor. They are quite stringent. It is important to note this case study is on Haiti"s involvement specifically, and not on the Iran-Contra affair as a whole. I have written in the # of pages box 10 pages, but it can be less. I"d like this to be quality, and have less useless filler if possible. 7-10 pages is a good range.

***Finally - I know you are probably smarter than I am, and after having researched this topic, disagree with my outline or how I am approaching this. I am open to an alternate structure and sources as my knowlege and time has been limited! Please remember to very carefully follow the professor"s guidelines! He is very strict about them! Thank You.***

CASE STUDY REQUIREMENTS (AS GIVEN BY PROF):
TOPIC: Gunrunning for Fun and Profit - This can involve fraud in military procurement and/or illicit sales of military equipment. It can focus on a country, a region, or a particular company. Be very careful here – there will be enormous amounts, not just of Internet babble, but of the planting of deliberate disinformation by one side or another (or both) in political conflicts. In fact diagnosing propaganda as well as phony numbers in the military supply business can be a challenging but illuminating topic.

Whatever your choice, avoid the Four D’s – Dumb, Dull, Dangerous or Done many times already. To guard against the last, ask yourself – is this obvious, is it something already well washed through the press, or is it possibly unusual and original? Remember - if it looks easy to do because so much attention has been paid to it, that is a danger sign UNLESS you can dissect the popular version by using unusual, well-informed alternative sources – that usually excludes Blogosphere babble or any of the crap on “social media.”

1) Find credible sources of first hand information rather than relying on gossip recycled through the pop media or on Internet chat rooms.
2) The focus is on black market economics; political and social information is to be included for background purposes only.
3) Analysis of the money trail is essential. A study of a black market deal that covers only the exchange of the good or service and ignores the money flow is only half done.

(1) The main body of the Case Study consists of no more than 10 double spaced typed pages.
(2) Analytical appendices -- consisting of such things as statistical tables (if needed or appropriate) or discussions in depth of peripheral though related issues.
(3) The sources -- actual copies of the major ones must be appended. Include photocopies of the most relevant (short) articles, the title pages of books and reports, summary statements of interviews explaining why the person interviewed (who can choose to remain anonymous) is knowledgeable, and a general assessment of the credibility of the information on which you based your case study. Failure to append the main sources can by itself result in a failing grade.
(4) Where appropriate, students should include a methodological appendix explaining how their research was carried out.

SOURCES: Sources might include interviews, examination of legal documents, and a thorough search of the printed AND electronic sources. NOTE: many case studies will require access to materials that are difficult to obtain.

GRADING: The following are taken into consideration.
- How well the logic of the paper was presented
- How well the overall significance of the topic is explained
- How well the issue itself is analysed
- How well the research was conducted
- How well the information is presented
- How well the student followed the instructions

MY OUTLINE SO FAR
Topic: CIA’s Use of the Haiti to Funnel weapons to the Contras

In the 1980s the CIA used Baby Doc and his Administration to funnel funds to the Contras in Nicaragua. However, despite the political and financial ramifications of his actions, Baby Doc attempted to defraud the CIA of these funds for his own use, specifically taking on Elliott Abrams who was the CIA’s liaison in the country at the time – and an integral player in the Iran-Contra affair. The significant disruption in money and weapons flows to the Contras decidedly led to Baby Doc’s eventual deposition through an Abrams led charge to remove Duvalier from power and impose democratic “reform” in Haiti.

Goal of the Study
· This study will attempt to concretely prove the links between Duvalier Jr. the Haitian government with the CIA and the Contras.
· Due to the Freedom of Information Act, previously inaccessible information providing links between the CIA and Duvaliers is now accessible
· Blame the limited coverage on extensive press repression by the CIA and Baby Doc Government domestically and abroad
· I intend to put together a study that examines the underground and opaque natures of the agreements between Baby Doc, the CIA, the US Gov and the Contras.
o I will be specifically examining irregularities in financial flows between the organizations and suspicious money trails in addition to memos obtained through documents released through the FOIA (if possible try to look into this some more)

I will break the study into 3 parts

The first part will examine the Cocaine trade in Haiti, its impact on the Haitian economy and specifically its use of private institutions for dubious money transfers

The second part will focus on the Money transfers and how funds and weapons were laundered, and the modus operandi of the CIA. How funds were transferred to Duvalier, how decisions were made regarding Duvalier’s political and financial actions

The third part will examine the “winners”, “losers” and bystanders and how they were affected by the situation. Decades later we are able to examine, deduce and better understand the motives of the actors in this scandal, and from that evaluate the impact of the scandal on each actor

The conclusion will bring together the study boiling down the main points of the study and clearly outlining the outcome of this specific scandal

Working Outline (With some details)

Section 1 (How Cocaine + Weapons were transferred)
Introduction (Brief)
o Overview of Haiti and its legacy of corruption
o Cocaine impact on Haitian economy
o Inflows of American funds + Columbian/ Nicaraguan influence in Haiti
Political Arguments (Brief)
o Haiti’s Reliance on American Support (Baby Doc)
o Internal Political struggles in Haiti between Baby Doc, rebels and the CIA
Economic Arguments (Brief)
o Baby Doc’s personal financial troubles
· Caserne Dessalines and its use as the repressive section of transitional army government
Chief of Police of Port au Prince
o Jean Claude Paul allowing cocaine activities
Leslie Francois Manigat
General Avril
Gilbert Pigio and Israeli consulate"s involvement
Columbian + Nicaraguan pilot’s testimony over how they flew into Haiti/ its use as a throughway for the cocaine industry
DEA story of Haitian army ignoring shipments of cocaine to the ports
Tony Greco

Section 2 (How money was laundered/ hidden)
The Contras in Nicaragua
o Impact of CIA on Contras – an overview of the scandal
· Baby Doc’s involvement with the CIA and Elliott Abrams
o Elliott Abrams close relationship with Duvalier family
o Corruption, draining of treasury by CIA/ contributions to treasury by CIA
o Value of use of Haiti as an intermediary for the transfer of funds to the contras by the CIA
§ - Opaque government
§ - Close relationship to the CIA
§ - Purported dependence on the CIA
El Rancho Casino/Hotel cocaine money laundering in Haiti
NHAO and its contract with the Costa Rican shrimp company
o Frigorificos Shrimp company was used to transport weapons/ drugs