Carter was a “former” President during the Reagan Administration. Carter appointed himself a US diplomat conducting his own foreign policy, most of which was anti-American in it’s tone and direction. No wonder they kept tabs on the Planters” guy. He was a private citizen not a US Government Diplomat.
Although I don't always agree with him, Greenwald seems like a straight shooter. For example, he points out Obama's hypocrisy about Russia. Attkinson links the same article. But judge for yourself. That is not to say that Reagan himself was involved, but i'll bet GHWB was.