Former national security adviser Robert McFarlane dies at 84

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

47% : He played a major role in the affair, leading the secret delegation to Tehran, then as now a U.S. adversary, to open contact with so-called moderate Iranians who were thought to hold influence with kidnappers of American hostages.
42% : Former NSC Adviser Robert McFarlane and wife wife Jonda posing for a picture after his suicide attempt because of his involvement with the Iran-contra scandalMcFarlane was pressed into service by the administration as part of secret - and illegal - plan to sell arms to Iran in exchange for the freedom of Western hostages in the Middle East and pass along proceeds to the contra rebels in Nicaragua for their fight against the Marxist Sandinista governmentMcFarlane (left) served as national security special assistant to Richard M. Nixon and Gerald R. Ford during their presidencies'I did indeed withhold information from the Congress,' he told reporters at the time.
40% : He was later pressed into service by the administration as part of secret - and illegal - plan to sell arms to Iran.

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