Sen. Shelby Calls for Meese to Resign

Sen. Richard C. Shelby (D-Ala.) called Friday for the resignation of Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III, arguing that his handling of the Atlanta federal prison crisis is the latest in a series of blunders that has eroded public confidence.

“I think he should resign,” Shelby said in a telephone interview. “I thought he should have resigned several months ago with all the investigations going on about him.

“He is the chief law enforcement officer of the United States . . . and he’s spending about half his time it seems to me defending himself against special prosecutors and grand jury investigations.”

Meese has been called several times before the grand jury investigating the Iran-Contra affair, as well as the grand jury that is investigating allegations that the Wedtech Corp. obtained special treatment from the government because of its ties to current and former Reagan Administration officials, including Meese.

Shelby said Meese “botched” the prison crisis by failing to take precautions when the agreement to deport the Cuban detainees in the prison was announced and by negotiating with the inmates once they took over the prison.

He said he was pleased that the prison crisis ended with none of the hostages being hurt.