The November draft was designed not to authorize the program that emerged in January, but rather (and explicitly) to retroactively authorize the covert activity that had been carried out for the program up until then.

President Reagan signed an order retroactively authorizing the shipment.

On Dec. 5 the President signs a finding retroactively authorizing the operation.

The Eighth Texas Legislature (1859-61) was called into special session by Governor Sam Houston, and retroactively authorized the Secession Convention, whose ordinance of secession from the United States was approved by the voters on February 23, 1861 [1], against the Governor's wishes.

No Finding should retroactively authorize or sanction a special activity.

The Administration first became directly involved in shipping arms to Iran in November 1985, and a Presidential intelligence order, or finding, was signed shortly afterward to retroactively authorize the activity.

Should Central Com- mand retroactively authorize you to access my computers, I will-retroactively - permit you to have done so.

Mr. Poindexter said that in December 1985, Mr. Reagan signed an order retroactively authorizing American participation in the deal.

Then he signed a "finding" retroactively authorizing the Iranian arms sale.

Later, Mr. North said he was present when John M. Poindexter, Mr. McFarlane's successor as national security adviser, destroyed the only copy of a Presidential order retroactively authorizing the Government to participate in arms sales to Iran in 1985.