In the 1950's, the repression of domestic political dissent reached near hysteria. In the process the CIA's covert operations, already in progress in Europe, expanded worldwide. By 1953, according to the 1970's Senate investigation, there were major covert programs under way in 48 countries, consisting of propaganda, paramilitary, and political action operations. In 1949, the agency's covert action department had about 300 employees and 47 stations. In the same period, the budget for these activities grew from $4.7 million to $82 million. …showed first 75 words of 2329 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2329 total…gays and lesbians and go on to more "mainstream" opponents in attempts, including domestic covert operations, to divide and discredit the lager movement for reform.                   Covert Operations:          Panama and Nicaragua                                                                                                                                                                  Works Cited Agee, Philip. Covert Action Quarterly.         Washington D.C. 1991. Kinsley, Michael. Time. We Shoot People Don't We.         October 23, 1989. Time Warner. Stiles, Kendall. Case Histories in International Politics.         Harper Collins Publishers, New York 1995 Wilson, Catherine. The Philadelphia Inquirer.          New trial is ruled for Noriega. March 28, 1996.