4/15/1981

“According to classified documents uncovered by Robert Parry, a Washington, DC, investigative reporter, after meeting with [Saudi Arabia’s] Prince Fahd, [Secretary of State] Alexander Haig briefed President [Ronald] Reagan in April 1981 that Fahd had explained that Iran was receiving spare parts for U.S. equipment from Israel. Haig’s notes had another astonishing assertion: ‘It was also interesting to confirm that President [Jimmy] Carter gave the Iraqis a green light to launch the war against Iran through Fahd.’ In other words, Haig had been told by the future Saudi king that Jimmy Carter had given clearance for Saddam to invade Iran and begin the Iran-Iraq War.” [The 15th of the month used for date sorting purposes only.]

 – Craig Unger, House of Bush, House of Saud, Page 65