Frank Carlucci III American statesman and political figure Date of Birth: 18.10.1930 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. State Department Career and CIA Involvement
3. Diplomatic Roles and Accused Military Involvement
4. White House and National Security Positions
5. Deputy Director of the CIA and Defense Department
6. National Security Advisor and Secretary of Defense
7. Post-Government Career
8. Alleged Meeting with Chechen Separatists
9. Legacy

Early Life and Education

Frank Carlucci was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, into an Italian immigrant family. He graduated from Princeton University in 1952, where he roomed with future Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. He then served in the US Navy from 1952 to 1954 before obtaining an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1956.

State Department Career and CIA Involvement

After graduating, Carlucci joined the US State Department. He served as Vice Consul and Economic Officer in Johannesburg, South Africa, and later as Second Secretary at the US Embassy in the Congo from 1960. His role in the Congo has drawn controversy, with some accusing him of involvement in the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, a Soviet-aligned Congolese politician. Carlucci denied these allegations and successfully sued to have his name removed from the film "Lumumba."

Diplomatic Roles and Accused Military Involvement

In 1964, Carlucci was appointed as First Secretary at the US Embassy in Dar es Salaam. After the formation of Tanzania, he was accused of playing a role in a military coup and was declared persona non grata. He was then sent to Brazil, where he initially worked closely with military attaché Vernon Walters.

White House and National Security Positions

Carlucci held various White House positions from 1969 onward, including Deputy Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity under Rumsfeld. He later served as Deputy Director of the Bureau of Management and Budget, and in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.

In 1974, Carlucci became Ambassador to Portugal during a period of political turmoil. He was accused of CIA involvement in a military uprising, but the US government denied these allegations. He remained Ambassador until 1977.

Deputy Director of the CIA and Defense Department

President Jimmy Carter appointed Carlucci as Deputy Director of the CIA in 1978. He later served as Deputy Secretary of Defense under President Ronald Reagan from 1981 to 1983, where he oversaw the Reagan defense buildup.

National Security Advisor and Secretary of Defense

In 1986, Carlucci was appointed as National Security Advisor, and in 1987, he became Secretary of Defense. During his tenure, he played a key role in the Iran-Contra affair, which involved the illegal sale of arms to Iran to fund anti-communist rebels in Nicaragua.

Post-Government Career

After leaving government, Carlucci became deeply involved in business. He served as Chairman of the Carlyle Group from 1992 to 2003, an investment firm with significant interests in the defense and media industries. He also worked with several major corporations, including General Dynamics, Westinghouse, and Ashland Oil.

Alleged Meeting with Chechen Separatists

In 2001, Chechen separatist Ilyas Akhmadov claimed to have met with Carlucci and other US officials. This meeting drew protests from Russia, which accused the US of supporting terrorism. Carlucci denied any wrongdoing, stating that he had met with Akhmadov to gather information about the Chechen conflict.

Legacy

Frank Carlucci was a prominent figure in American government, serving in high-level positions in the State Department, the CIA, the Defense Department, and the White House. His career was marked by controversy and allegations of involvement in covert operations, but he also played a significant role in the Reagan administration's defense buildup.