Mr. Woodward went so far as to editorialize that "some people" may find the administration's covert financing of the run-up to the war in conflict with the Constitution.

Last weekend, President Bush signed an executive order approving covert financing of the alliance.

Washington relies on Riyadh for a host of favors, from discreet cajoling of its Arab neighbors to covert financing of Central Intelligence Agency operations.

But that support ended when Congress that same year approved the Clark Amendment, which prohibited covert financing of guerrilla groups in the Angolan conflict.

The Matarese council studies the objectives of the parties involved, sends in the experts, and provides covert financing.

Iraqi congress officials refused to say whether they were included in the covert financing.

Even Saudi Arabia, which encouraged its citizens to give money to the Afghan rebel cause - for many years it matched America's covert financing - is now trying to stop the flow.

The United States also secretly paid for work stoppages and strikes and supported opposition to Allende by covert financing of political parties, news-papers, television and radio stations, to the tune of $8 million.

President Bush has signed an executive order authorizing covert financing of the alliance, but leaders say the American aid has only recently begun to reach them.

An account of the Central Intelligence Agency's covert financing of cultural activities as part of the cold war.