Boss Wanted North Hospitalized : McFarlane Feared He Was Too Emotional on Iran Project

Lt. Col. Oliver L. North expressed surprise this morning when he emerged from his home and was told by reporters that his former boss, worried about the pressures North was undergoing when he worked in the White House, had suggested he be hospitalized for disability review.

“I missed that. What page is that on?” he asked, referring to the Tower Commission report which disclosed the suggestion.

As early as last June, the report shows, former National Security Adviser Robert C. McFarlane wrote to his successor, John M. Poindexter, that he was worried North was becoming too emotional about the Iran- contra operation that he ran from his National Security Council office.

Transfer Suggested

“I don’t (know) what you do about it but in Ollie’s interest I would get him transferred or sent to Bethesda (Naval Medical Center) for disability review board,” McFarlane wrote. He also wrote that apparently “the Marine Corps has already tried to survey him once.”

McFarlane said North’s departure would be a loss, but “in the end it may be better anyway.”

Poindexter replied that he would consider McFarlane’s concerns.

As he drove away from his suburban Great Falls, Va., home this morning, North refused to comment further on the report. He said his lawyer had advised him that “at the appropriate time and the appropriate forum, I will make a full . . . statement of all the facts as I know them.”

Biblical Reference

Asked what he wanted Americans to know about him as they read the report, North suggested that they read the eighth Beatitude in Matthew 5 of the Bible, which says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”

North was fired Nov. 25 after it was disclosed that proceeds from the secret arms sales to Iran apparently had been diverted to assist the Nicaraguan guerrillas whom the President has described as freedom fighters.

In revealing the disability suggestion, the report said that after what North described as a “disturbing” meeting with Poindexter on Central American issues, the lieutenant colonel wrote to Poindexter that it was “deeply disappointing to have lost your confidence” and that “it would probably be best if I were to move on as quietly, but expeditiously, as possible.”

“You should not be expected to retain on your staff someone who you suspect could be talking to the media or whom you believe to be too emotionally involved in an issue to be objective in the development of policy options and recommendations,” North wrote.

He stayed on, however, after Poindexter replied: “Now you are getting emotional again. I do not want you to leave and to be honest cannot afford to let you go.”