‘2 Hostages for RR’ : ‘Let Me Go’ to a New Job, North Begged Poindexter
Lt. Col. Oliver L. North, fired by President Reagan for his role in the Iran arms affair and blamed for much that went wrong, seemingly realized, too late, that he had better get out of the secret arms sales business.
According to a copy of a memo published today in the Tower Commission report, North plaintively asked his boss Vice Adm. John M. Poindexter for another assignment.
“This is the damnedest operation I have ever seen,” said North in his Oct. 29, 1986, note to Poindexter, who resigned his post as President Reagan’s national security adviser four weeks later.
“Pls (please) let me go on to other things,” he begged. “Wd (would) very much like to give RR (Reagan) two hostages that he can take credit for and stop worrying about these other things.”
Since then, North has refused to testify on his exact role in the affair on grounds that he might incriminate himself; he has been seeking immunity from prosecution.
North, who has taken the Fifth Amendment, is also contesting in court the authority of the special prosecutor looking into the arms scandal.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
