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

DATE: SATURDAY, March 10, 1990                   TAG: 9003102368
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Cox News Service
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                 LENGTH: Short

NORTH: NOBODY TOLD ME TO LIE

North admitted making false statements to members of the House Intelligence Committee at an Aug. 6, 1985, White House briefing but said it was not at Poindexter's direction.

Poindexter, national security adviser and North's superior in the Reagan White House, is charged with participating in a cover-up.

"No one ever told me to lie to Congress," North testified.

He said Poindexter did send him a message saying "well done" after the session.

During his own trial last year, North indicated he felt pressured to lie when asked about his secret support of the Contras while official U.S. backing was banned.

North said Friday he was worried about being asked about things "I had been told never to reveal." When he brought these misgivings up to Poindexter, he said, his boss told him "You can handle it, you can take care of it, or words to that effect."

"I didn't walk into the meeting intending to lie," North recalled.

"I recall deceiving" the congressmen, North said, but he maintained he was not directed to tell these lies.

Compelled to testify, North was designated a "hostile witness" by presiding Judge Harold Greene. On the stand, he answered with reluctance, often saying he did not recall events and asking to refer to testimony from his trial and other proceedings.