Executive Action is a term used by the Central Intelligence Agency starting in the early 1950s to refer to assassination operations. These operations were often conducted by the CIA's Division D, a subsection of the agency's Directorate of Operations. "Executive Action" operations conducted by the CIA ranged from an attempt to kill Fidel Castro using a cigar injected with Botulism toxin to an alleged plan to kill rebel leader Che Guevara. The Ford administration forbade assassination in 1976 with Executive Order 11905. A Washington Post article, c. 1989, reported that a 'secret' ruling of the U.S. Department of State's Office of Legal Advisor interpreted Ford's Executive Order to ban only intentional killings of foreign leaders, thus clearing the way for 'accidental' killings of foreign leaders -- for example, during the confusion of a coup or invasion. As this ruling was one of at least four preceding the U.S. invasion of Panama, some saw the ruling as giving a green light for Manuel Noriega to be killed 'accidentally.' Noriega survived the invasion and surrendered to US forces.
Famous quotes containing the words executive, actions and/or cia:
“... the wife of an executive would be a better wife had she been a secretary first. As a secretary, you learn to adjust to the boss’s moods. Many marriages would be happier if the wife would do that.”
—Anne Bogan, U.S. executive secretary. As quoted in Working, book 1, by Studs Terkel (1973)
“I also believe that few people remain completely untouched by the thought that instead of the life they lead there might also be another, where all actions proceed from a very personal state of excitement. Where actions have meanings, not just causes. And where a person, to use a trivial word, is happy, and not just nervously tormenting himself.”
—Robert Musil (1880–1942)
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
—Bible: New Testament John 8:32.
These words of Jesus are inscribed on the wall of the main lobby at the CIA headquarters, Langley, Virginia.