Chamorro, Edgar. Packaging the Contras: A Case of CIA Disinformation. Published in 1987 by the Institute for Media Analysis, 145 West 4th Street, New York NY 10012, Tel: 212-254-1061. 78 pages.

Edgar Chamorro began working in Miami with anti-Sandinista exiles in late 1979, and the following year they formed the Nicaraguan Democratic Union (UDN). Their agenda dovetailed with the CIA's, so in August 1981 formal documents were signed in Guatemala City merging the UDN with the 15th of September Legion to form the Nicaraguan Democratic Force (FDN). It was all scripted by the Agency. Chamorro did "contra" public relations work for the CIA for the next three years.

But he had his doubts about FDN atrocities against Nicaraguan civilians, and grew tired of CIA bungling. The mining of Nicaraguan harbors by the CIA and the famous "assassination" manual hit the front pages in 1984, and in November Chamorro called it quits. In 1985 he told his story to Congress and then to the World Court.

This monograph is a case study of how the CIA shapes public opinion by manipulating the mass media. Chamorro and his FDN cover are first created by the CIA, and then a string of bought journalists from the U.S. media are lined up for interviews about the wonderful "democratic resistance." It's almost like Ngo Dinh Diem and Vietnam all over again.
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