
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 7, 1990                   TAG: 9003072043
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-2   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                 LENGTH: Short

ANTI-DRUG EFFORT GOT BOOST FROM SAUDIS

Nancy Reagan's war on drugs got $2 million from Saudi Arabians at a time when the Reagan administration was considering a weapons sale to the Saudis, according to published reports.

The two donations provided more than half of the money raised for Reagan's anti-drug fund, The Washington Post reported today.

The New Republic magazine also carries the story in an issue going to press this week.

Saudi King Fahd gave $1 million in 1985 and another $1 million came later from Mouaffak al Midani, a Syrian-Saudi businessman, the Post said. The newspaper said its report was based on documents and interviews with the people involved.

The donations came at the same time the Saudi royal family was helping finance the Contras in their war against the Sandinistas in Nicaragua and as the administration was considering a weapons sale to the Saudis, the newspaper said. The Saudis were permitted to buy some, but not all, of the weapons they wanted.

James Rosebush, who was chief of staff to the first lady at the time, said the Saudi donations were not intended to influence her or President Reagan.

by CNB