Reagan Broke Law, Jackson Tells Democrats
The Rev. Jesse Jackson on Saturday accused the Reagan Administration of violating the law in connection with the Iran- contra affair, and he urged fellow Democrats not to abandon women’s rights or the struggle for equality in South Africa in their quest for the presidency.
Jackson, first of a string of Democratic presidential aspirants or their representatives to address the Southern National Democratic Committee conference, said: “This Administration will violate the law with contempt of Congress and is flouting that now.”
Jackson, who ran unsuccessfully for his party’s presidential nomination in 1984 and is expected to be a candidate this time, said the Administration’s handling of the Iran-contra arms sales is a prime example of President Reagan’s failure to abide by the law.
At Reagan’s Behest
Jackson accused Lt. Col. Oliver L. North, former National Security Council chiefs John M. Poindexter and Robert C. McFarlane and the late CIA Director William J. Casey of violating the law at Reagan’s behest. “It was (Reagan’s) policy that was being followed,” he said.
Jackson said the Iran-contra hearings have focused too much on the bit players and not enough on the chief.
“When the USS Stark was blown up, they didn’t go after the petty officer, they went after the captain,” he said.
Jackson criticized North for placing “loyalty, lust and ambition over law, truth and justice. That’s not a formula for authentic heroism.”
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