In February 1986, the Reagan administration informed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that, though it remained committed to a diplomatic solution of the ongoing Angolan Civil War, it planned to prevent a MPLA military victory by providing covert military aid to UNITA, beginning with $15 million in military assistance, primarily accounted for by Stinger anti-aircraft missiles. The announcement followed a meeting at the White House the previous month between Reagan and UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi; and it was enabled by the repeal of the Clark Amendment in 1985.
In February 1986, the Reagan administration notified the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that although it continued to pursue a diplomatic resolution of the ongoing Angolan Civil War, it intended to obstruct a MPLA military triumph by offering covert military support to UNITA, starting with $15 million in military aid, mainly consisting of Stinger anti-aircraft missiles. This announcement came after a meeting at the White House the previous month between Reagan and UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi; and it was facilitated by the repeal of the Clark Amendment in 1985.