Reagan’s notes, diaries for Iran-Contra trial

Press, 26 October 1989, Page 8

Reagan’s notes, diaries for Iran-Contra trial

NZPA-Reuter Washington The former United States president, Ronald Reagan, will have to turn over his private notes and diaries on the IranContra scandal for the trial of his national security adviser, John Poindexter, a judge ruled yesterday. A United States District Judge, Harold Greene, said he would allow the defence to subpoena Mr Reagan’s personal papers as part of its effort to prove that he knew and approved of Mr Poindexter’s activities. However, Judge Greene rejected a defence request to subpoena President George Bush’s personal notes because Mr Bush, then Vice-President, had no operational authority over Mr Poindexter and could not authorise his activities.

The judge said Mr Poindexter’s attorneys could later renew the

subpoena request for Mr Bush’s notes if they could show a more pressing need for the documents as a defence against the criminal charges. Mr Poindexter’s attorneys said they wanted the notes of meetings with Mr Bush because they said Mr Poindexter always briefed him whenever the Vice President missed a White House meeting during which Iran-Con-tra activities were discussed. Mr Poindexter, who faces five criminal charges of conspiracy, obstructing Congress and making false statements to cover up the scandal, was Mr Reagan’s national security adviser when the affair became public in 1986. Mr Reagan’s private notes and diaries could provide the most extensive evidence yet about his role in the secret sale of weapons to Iran and the financial and diplomatic efforts to support

the Nicaraguan Contra rebels in 1985-86, when Congress banned United States military assistance. Evidence from other court cases showed that Mr Reagan was much more actively involved in the Contra support efforts, especially in soliciting help from third nations, than previously known. Mr Reagan is expected to fight any subpoena for his personal papers on the grounds of executive privilege, a claim asserted at the first Iran-Contra trial involving a former White House aide, Colonel Oliver North. Colonel North, who worked under Mr Poindexter, was convicted in May on three of 12 criminal charges against him for his role in the scandal. The Judge threw out defence subpoenas for Mr Reagan’s documents, saying they were not relevant or crucial to the defence.