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:
“One point in my public life: I did all I could for the reform of the civil service, for the building up of the South, for a sound currency, etc., etc., but I never forgot my party.... I knew that all good measures would suffer if my Administration was followed by the defeat of my party. Result, a great victory in 1880. Executive and legislature both completely Republican.”
—Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)
“I judge a man by his actions with men, much more than by his declarations Godwards—When I find him to be envious, carping, spiteful, hating the successes of others, and complaining that the world has never done enough for him, I am apt to doubt whether his humility before God will atone for his want of manliness.”
—Anthony Trollope (1815–1882)
“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.