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

DATE: SATURDAY, July 30, 1994                   TAG: 9408010018
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By LEWIS R. SHECKLER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

AGAINST OLIVER NORTH, A SMEAR CAMPAIGN BASED ON LIES

This newspaper states that ``lying to Congress is among North's documented offenses'' (July 11 editorial, ``Lawyers for the defense''). This is baloney, and you know it. You present no documentation that he lied to Congress, because there is none. The accusation is false.

North gave evasive answers to only seven Congress members in an off-the-record, informal meeting in the White House. (It is a misleading exaggeration - a lie - to call this lying to Congress.) North did this when he was asked questions about secret, undercover operations by politicians he wasn't authorized to give the answers to. He was evasive to protect lives and to comply with his orders.

Every word of his testimony to Congress and the American people was true. North was never accused of giving false testimony, even by liberal lawmakers participating in the hearings. Furthermore, he wasn't convicted or even charged with perjury. Those falsely accusing him of lying are the liars.

This newspaper asserts, ``Also among North's documented offenses ... is lying to people outside Congress.'' Again, you offer no documentation, because there is none. There are only several uncorroborated charges - some have been effectively refuted and others are just one person's word against North's. There are reasons to question the motives of those making these accusations. Nevertheless, you treat these questionable charges as though they're proven facts.

You allege North participated in a ``conspiracy to conduct a secret foreign policy removed from public accountability and the rule of law.'' This is just one more hysterical left-wing attack against the anti-communist covert operation to help the Contras. This allegation is another lie. Everyone knows covert operations aren't public, and their secrecy doesn't make them illegal.

You claim North ``was convicted of three felonies which were overturned on a technicality'' (June 5 news article, ``GOP picks North for Senate battle''). Again, you try to deceive your readers. A jury said North was guilty of three felonies, but the appeals court ruled the jury decision couldn't stand because his trial was not fair. Our justice system considers no one guilty of a crime unless the accused is convicted in a fair trial. Because North was tried unfairly, he was actually never convicted of a crime. His slate is clean.

This constitutional protection against unfair trials is essential for us all. Some innocent Roanoke Times & World-News readers - and perhaps someone on the newspaper's staff - will depend sometime on this human-rights protection. Calling it only a ``technicality'' with North's case is a misleading cheap shot.

The appeals court overturned his convictions for two reasons: He was obviously used as a scapegoat, and the trial court denied him basic justice. The prosecution used ``created'' testimony from administration members who were covering themselves and using North as their scapegoat.

Incredibly, officials and attorneys from the Department of Justice and State, the White House and Central Intelligence Agency gathered, studied and summarized his testimony to prepare themselves, their supervisors and colleagues for their testimony. And witnesses from the CIA testified after they were briefed by a supervisor who was briefed by employees of the prosecutor! Tainted witnesses gave tainted testimony.

The trial judge helped the prosecution while he undermined North's defense. The judge gave wrong instructions to the jury and refused to allow North to introduce evidence showing his superiors authorized him to perform his part of the Iran-Contra operation. The judge permitted the prosecutor to make ``highly improper remarks'' during closing arguments, and the judge refused to permit President Reagan to be subpoenaed to include his testimony. To any fair-minded person, the prosecution (persecution) of North stinks.

This newspaper's deceptive hate campaign against North creates a bad odor, too. You lie about him time after time and then provide the crowning touch: You declare North isn't fit to serve in the U.S. Senate because he's a liar, and you offer your lies as proof. We're impressed!

Lewis R. Sheckler of Radford is a retired Radford University professor and vice-chairman of the 9th District Republican Party.