Disgraced defense contractor planned to promote democracy in Iran

Posted on Fri, Mar. 24, 2006

Disgraced defense contractor planned to promote democracy in Iran

BY WARREN P. STROBEL
Knight Ridder Newspapers

WASHINGTON - In a new example of disgraced defense contractor Mitchell Wade's attempts to exert influence in Washington and beyond, Wade and two business partners formed a nonprofit group in 2004 to promote democracy in Iran, according to documents and interviews.

Wade and the two partners, who have been large contributors to Republican political campaigns, formed the Iranian Democratization Foundation in April 2004, according to incorporation papers filed in Washington.

The timing coincides with a push by opponents of the theocratic regime in Tehran to appropriate more money for democracy programs.

In November 2004, Congress approved spending $3 million to promote democracy in Iran. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice last month asked Congress for a large boost in funding, to $75 million.

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http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/news/politics/14180681.htm