…linked to the Iran-Contra Scandal
Otto Reich, one of the three lobbyists hired by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration through The Cormac Group, was a controversial American diplomat who was linked to the Iran-Contra Scandal that erupted during President Ronald Reagan’s term in Office.
Declassified Records indicate that while Reich served in the Reagan Administration as Assistant Administrator of the Agency for International Development (AID) from 1981 to 1983, and then as the first Director of the State Department’s Office of Public Diplomacy for Latin America and the Caribbean from 1983 to 1986, his engagement in clandestine activities linked to the Iran-Contra Scandal brought his reputation into disrepute.
According to the National Security Archive at the George Washington University, Reich’s tenure at the Office of Public Diplomacy generated major controversy during the exposure of the Iran-contra scandal and left an extensive document trail.
The Comptroller-General of the U.S., a Republican appointee, in 1987, said evidence suggested that Reich used his Office to engage in “prohibited, covert propaganda activities,” “beyond the range of acceptable agency public information activities…”
It was concluded that the US Diplomat, now lobbyist, had violated “a restriction on the State Department’s annual appropriations prohibiting the use of federal funds for publicity or propaganda purposes not authorised by Congress.”
Described as a “chief spinner,” it is believed that Reich used his Office to promote the Contra guerillas in Nicaragua.
According to HISTORY, an internationally recogised and trustworthy source, the Iran-Contra Affair, also known as the Iran-Contra Scandal, was a secret U.S arms deal that traded missiles and other arms in exchange for Americans, who were held hostage by terrorists in Lebanon. It is said that funds from the arms deal was used to support armed conflict in Nicaragua. The Reich-run Office of Public Diplomacy was shut down after the Iran-Contra affair in 1987.
Based on a document filed by The Cormac Group with the US Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the Irfaan Ali Administration is paying Reich and two other lobbyists – James Link and Jose Cardenas – thousands of US dollars to provide government relations and lobbying services for a six-month period.
Based on the agreement, which spans for a period of six months at a cost of US$25,000 or more than GUY$5M a month, The Cormac Group will provide government relations and lobbyist services on issues of importance to the PPP/C Administration, and will include outreach to US Congressional Members, staff, executive branch officials, and relevant private sector organisations.
“Registrant (The Cormac Group) will engage policy-makers in Washington to ensure a close working relationship with Principal (Government of Guyana), including reaching out to relevant US agencies and departments, international organisations and financial institutions, and the Washington-based public policy community,” the lobbyist firm stated.
Through its ally – the International Center for Democracy (ICD) – the PPP/C, in opposition, and with an election at stake, had hired The Cormac Group to lobby on its behalf.
The signing of this new contract took place approximately four months after the PPP/C took Office, and days ahead of the inauguration of Joe Biden as President of the United States of America (USA). Under the Donald Trump Administration, the Republicans had thrown its support behind the PPP/C.
