Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 1, 1994 TAG: 9409010103
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ARLINGTON LENGTH: Medium
``We all are former military people, and we don't agree with what Mr. North's concept of military service seems to be,'' said Ben Jarratt Brown, a retired Air Force captain. ``We don't think being deceitful even in the name of freedom is justified.''
Veterans Against North held a news conference in front of the Iwo Jima Memorial to denounce North, a retired Marine lieutenant colonel, for his role in the Iran-Contra arms-for-hostages scandal.
North was convicted of felonies for destroying documents about Iran-Contra, accepting an illegal gratuity and aiding in the obstruction of Congress. The convictions were overturned on appeal because his trial was tainted by congressional testimony North gave under immunity.
``Felonious behavior, whether you get off on a technicality or not, is still felonious behavior,'' Brown said.
North, the Republican nominee, faces incumbent Democratic Sen. Charles Robb and independent candidates Douglas Wilder and Marshall Coleman in November.
Former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Colin Powell and Persian Gulf commander Gen. Norman Schwartzkopf already have said they do not support North, who has made his military service a central theme in the campaign.
Max N. Hall, a 14-year Army officer, said North violated the military's professional code of ethics and the Uniform Code of Military Justice - the legal system used to prosecute servicemen and women.
``I do not want someone of Mr. North's character representing me in the United States Senate. Our country has enough problems without adding Mr. North's lack of principles to them,'' Hall said.
About 4,200 veterans supporting North, including another former joint chiefs chairman, Adm. Thomas Moorer, have joined a group organized by his campaign called Veterans For North, spokesman Dan McLagan said.
``Ollie North spent 22 years of his life in the uniform of the United States Marine Corps. That's a big part of who he is,'' McLagan said.
North supporters outnumbered the 16 North opponents at the memorial. Wearing ``Ollie!'' stickers, the supporters lined up on the lawn below the huge bronze statue of six Marines raising an American flag during World War II.
A few North supporters shouted questions and argued with Brown while he was at the lectern.
``I want to know why you are supporting Senator Robb,'' one man demanded. Brown said he has not decided whom to support, but said he is a Democrat.
The anti-North gathering was organized by Clean Up Congress, a political action committee that has raised about $200,000 to defeat North.
Clean Up Congress is headed by Woody Holton, son of former Republican Gov. Linwood Holton. The elder Holton is supporting Coleman, a former Republican state attorney general.
``This is the same Woody Holton that organized anti-American activists down in Nicaragua,'' North said during a campaign stop in Williamsburg. ``This is the same Woody Holton that to my recollection never served a second in this country.''
Holton has not served in the military.
North earlier campaigned in Hampton and was heading to Arlington for a fund-raiser.
The campaign heated up over the weekend as North and Robb traded charges of impropriety.
On Friday, Robb alluded the North's role in the Iran-Contra scandal, saying North ``sold arms to the Ayatollah.''
Monday, North responded by saying Robb was tainted by scandal in his personal life. Before announcing his candidacy for re-election, Robb wrote to supporters that, ``I am clearly vulnerable on the question of socializing under circumstances not appropriate for a married man - and I have never denied it.''
Asked if Robb's conduct also dishonors the uniform he once wore, the North opponents drew a distinction between public and private behavior.
``Oliver North lied about national policy to the national policy-making bureau. We consider that a different level,'' said Charlie Pitts, a retired Air Force officer.
With a ``Sportsmen for North'' bumper sticker on his back and clutching a small American flag, Ken Hanson snorted on the sidelines.
``Want to talk about a crook? How about [Rep. Dan] Rostenkowski?'' Hanson said, referring to the Illinois Democrat under indictment for allegedly misusing House Post Office funds. ``Ollie served his country, and these guys are stealing everything they can get their hands on.''
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB