The World - News from May 25, 1988

A bill that would impose a $1-million fine or up to 10 years in jail on anyone convicted of selling arms to nations that support terrorism was passed by the House on a voice vote and sent to the Senate. The action was prompted by disclosures during the Iran-Contra investigation that the Reagan Administration secretly sold weapons to Iran in an attempt to win the release of U.S. hostages in Lebanon. The bill prohibits all arms sales by the U.S. government or individuals to countries listed by the State Department as supporting terrorism. Iran, Libya, Cuba, North Korea, South Yemen and Syria are now on that list. The President could waive the restrictions for specific transactions but would have to notify Congress.