President Still Sees North as National Hero
WASHINGTON — President Reagan indicated today that allegations of deceit, impropriety and possible illegalities have not altered his basic assessment of fired National Security Council aide Oliver L. North as “a national hero.â€
While posing for pictures in the Oval Office with FBI Director William H. Webster, Reagan commented for the first time in months on the Marine officer who is the central figure in the Iran- contra scandal.
Does he still consider North to be “a national hero,†as he described the former NSC staffer last Nov. 26 in a Time magazine interview?
“His military record was one of numerous rewards for courage,†Reagan replied.
When a reporter pressed Reagan about North’s involvement in the diversion of funds to Nicaraguan rebels, an impatient Reagan replied, “I’m not going to comment on that.â€
The Tower Commission, which reported last week on its vigorous investigation into the Iran arms affair, portrayed North as a free-wheeling mastermind of covert operations who deceived colleagues, exaggerated his exploits and assumed control of responsibilities for which he was not suited.
North was fired Nov. 25 after Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III uncovered evidence that profits from the arms sales to Iran had been diverted to the contra rebels.
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