Nation/World
University Daily Kansan / Thursday, November 19, 1987
9
Reagan quiet on Iran-contra report
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — President Reagan refused to comment yesterday on Congress' massive Iran-contra report, and his spokesman faulted it for "subjective opinions" and expressed hope that the American people would put the offainb them.
applicable would put the dart behind them. The White House also steadfastly refused to discuss the issue of pardons for the former Reagan aides embroiled in the controversy: National Security Council aide Oliver North and former national security advisor John Poindexter.
Although the report cited no evidence that Reagan participated in the effort to deceive Congress and the public over the sale of weapons to Iran and the diversion of funds to the contra rebels, it said he misled the nation, failed to provide leadership and tolerated an environment in which aides felt that lying to Congress was acceptable.
"There isn't much new here. It's mostly subjective opinions," White House press secretary Marin Fitzwater said of the report.
Reporters called out to Reagan, seeking his response to the report, as he walked to an appearance at the Old Executive Office Building.
responded.
Reagan made no comment on the report in two
separate appearances at a celebration of the 25th anniversary of his special trade representative and an awards ceremony for teachers. He also attended a private farewell party for Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger, which reporters were not allowed to attend.
Instead, Fitzwater issued a statement pointing out that the report did not contradict Reagan's contention that he was unaware of the diversion of arms sale profits to the contra rebels.
"The president did not violate any laws. Even the majority report does not so state," Fitzwater said. "We are moving on. And we trust that out of this experience has come a new wisdom about the process of governing in America."
Reagan has steadfastly insisted that he did not know about the diversion. However, he authorized the arms sales to Iran and, according to congressional testimony, directed that Congress and administration officials be kept in the dark about it.
The president also has acknowledged that he knew that third countries and private groups in the United States were providing funds to the contras. Fitzwater cited months-old Reagan speeches from March and August as the president's com
In March, Reagan spoke following the release of
the Tower Board and defended his attempts to establish a relationship with Iran but conceded that it had "deteriorated ... intotrading arms for hostages ... It was a mistake."
Fitzwater also cited an August speech made after the conclusion of the hearings, when Reagan said that he preoccupation with the hostages "introduce into army, where it didn't belong ... and this was a mistake."
"I don't anticipate anything further," Fitzwater said. He added that Reagan might "choose to respond on his own at some point."
Asked about the issue of possible pardons, the spokesman confirmed that former national security adviser William P. Clark had written Reagan in August, urging him to pardon North and Poindexter. The letter suggested the pardon be made before independent counsel Lawrence E. Walsh concludes his investigation.
Fitzwater said the president did not respond to the letter from Clark, a long-time friend and aide.
He said that Reagan, when asked about this in the past, had said, "I'm not discussing pardons."
"We get a lot of letters from people requesting pardons," Fitzwater said. He said Reagan's position was conveyed to Clark in a letter from White House counsel A.B. Culvahouse.
How arms money from Iran reached 'contra' account
DAN CLIEFORD(Knight-Ridder Graphics Network)
Iran-contra report faults Meese's tactics
The Associated Press
The panel's 690-page report also said Meese acted too slowly and ignored standard investigative procedures after Pres. Ronald Reagan asked him to look into the Iran-contra affair last November.
WASHINGTON — Attorney General Edwin Meese III may have tried to cover up his role in a privately financed and probably illegal hostage-ransom plan finanzied by a Texas industrialist, the report of the Iran-contra committees suggested yesterday.
Meese's weekend inquiry a year ago, which uncovered the diversion of Iran arms-sale money to the contras, "departed from standard investigative techniques," said the report. The attorney general "needed (then CIA Director William) Casey about the diversion ... waited two days to speak to (National Security Advisor John) Poin-
dexter ... and then did not ask him what the president knew," said the report.
"He wailed too long to seal (National Security Council staffer Oliver) North's offices" at a time when North was engaging in a massive shredding operation, said the report, which concluded: "These lapses placed a cloud over the attorney general's investigation."
Meese was told the diversion — the first indication of possible criminality — the day after launching his weekend inquiry of the Reagan administration's arms sales to Iran, and "the attorney general's methodology for conducting the inquiry changed at this point," said the report.
"Before discovery of the diversion memorandum, all interviews were conducted by the attorney general with another Justice Department official, and notes were taken," the report said. "Thereafter, with the exception of the North Report."
interview, all interviews conducted by Meese were one-on-one, with no notes taken — including interviews of Casey, (former National Security Adviser Robert) McFarlane, Poindexter, (White House chief of staff Donald) Regan and the vice president."
The report outlined new details about Meese's participation in the unsuccessful ransom initiative in 1985-86 for U.S. hostages in Lebanon that involved the use of two agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, but a Justice Department spokesman said the Iran-contra committee had misconceived the facts.
After the Iran-contra affair became punic past November, Meese instructed an aide to call H. Ross Perot to check what the Texas billionaire would say if questioned about whether Meese knew of or authorized the payments, according to a Dec. 3 note taken by Meese aide John Richardson.
Marianne's
Thursday, November 19
7:00 p.m.
Spuds McJayhawk Sweatshirts "The KU Party Animal"
Southern Hills Mall in the center of the mail!
1601 W. 23rd St.
T-F 12:30-5:30 TR 12:30-8:30 Sat 9:30-5:00
Director: William Wellman James Cagney's raw, ferocious performance as a brutal hood made him a star. With bloodthirsty efficiency, Cagney claws his way to the top of the criminal world. Watch for the female lead in Clarko's face. With Jean Harlow Blondell. (1931, 84 min/BW)
Woodruff Auditorium
Public Enemy
EVERYDAY TWO FERS
842-1212 1601 W.23rd Southern Hills Center
Delivery Free No coupon necessary
Mon.-Thurs.-11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Fri.-Sund.-11 a.m.-3 a.m.
Sat.-11 a.m.-1 a.m.
2-10" Pizzas with 2 Toppings & 2 Cokes $9.50 Value for only $8.00
HOURS
We Deliver During Lunch
Get Something Going!
Kansan Classifieds
119 Stauffer-Flint Hall
864-4358
BODITONICS
Ask about our student discount
- No Membership fee
- Workouts take less than 1 hour
- Wolff tanning bed available
COME IN FOR YOUR FREE
DEMONSTRATION TODAY!
Louisiana Purchase Shopping Center
2223 Louisiana 841-7070
It has fun written all over it.
Take a pure Suzuki and make it your Suzuki.
We have genuine Suzuki accessories for the Samura look you want. Tops, Racks, Lamps. More.
Make it sporty. Make it outdoor. Make it rugged. Make it fun. Make it yours.
To dress your Suzuki Samura, see us today.
© 1987 Suzuki of America Automotive Corporation
Olathe Ford-Suzuki
I-35 & 150 Hwy. Kansas City (913)782-0881
30 minutes from Lawrence!