US Oversight Bill finally passed (1)
01 January 1991
US Oversight Bill finally passed
artdoc December=1991
The Intelligence Oversight Act has finally become law in the USA
four years after it was introduced. First Principles comments:
`This law is the first and probably the last reform legislation
to come out of the Iran-Contra affair. While it represents a
modest reform at best, it does serve to strengthen the oversight
process without enhancing presidential power beyond what
previously existed in law and practice'. The Act which covers
covert action authorised by the President contains the following
new general definition of `covert action':
an activity or activities of the United States Government
designed to influence political, economic, or military
conditions abroad, where it is intended that the role of
the United States Government will not be apparent or
acknowledged publicly... (Sec. 503(e)).
First Principles, September/October 1991.