Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 7, 1994 TAG: 9409070146
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: DAVID REED ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: HAMPDEN-SYDNEY LENGTH: Medium
It started when moderator Judy Woodruff, host of Cable News Network's ``Politics Today,'' asked Republican nominee Oliver North about his involvement in the Iran-Contra arms-for-hostages scandal.
North, a national security adviser under President Reagan, said the governing principle behind his role in the secret sale of arms to Iran ``was to save lives'' of Americans held hostage by Lebanese groups backed by the Iranians.
Money from the arms sales was diverted to Nicaraguan rebels, though U.S. support of the rebels had been barred by Congress.
Incumbent Democratic Sen. Charles Robb said it was also the policy of the United States not to deal with terrorists holding hostages.
Independent Marshall Coleman said any illegal covert operation can be rationalized by saying it was an attempt to save lives, adding that North lacked respect for the rule of law.
Independent Douglas Wilder accused North of knowing that drug smugglers were involved in the Iran-Contra operation.
North said several investigations have cleared him of Wilder's allegation. He said only Wilder and political extremist Lyndon LaRouche still were raising that issue.
``I'm the most investigated man on this planet,'' North said.
``There might be very good reasons for that to be the case,'' Wilder responded.
North was convicted of three felonies for his role in Iran-Contra, all of which were overturned on appeal.
When Robb was asked what he would do about the problem of illegal drugs, Wilder interrupted the moderator.
``You were in the company of people that have said drug use is all right,'' Wilder said, referring to Robb's attendance at parties in Virginia Beach while governor. Some of those at the parties have said that drugs were used openly. ``You have been in the company of people who have been convicted [of drug charges]. Don't tell me you are going to stand on a moral horse now.''
``I have never in my life seen or been in the company of anyone that I believe or have reason to believe was using drugs, period,'' Robb said.
The candidates also clashed on whether the U.S. military should invade Haiti to oust its military rulers and install a democratically elected president.
Robb was the only candidate who said that he would support sending troops to Haiti.
``We're now in a position where we have no choice but to move ahead. We have drawn a line in the sand,'' Robb said.
The debate at Hampden-Sydney College, a private men's college, was the third involving the four candidates.
North and Robb entered Tuesday's debate well ahead of the independents in the polls.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB