Only a ‘Character Change’ Could Force Meese Exit: Reagan

President Reagan rose to the defense of embattled Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III today, declaring he would ask his longtime friend to leave his Justice Department post only “if he had a complete change in character.”

During an Oval Office photo session with Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, Reagan displayed a flash of irritation when asked about a reported move by some close associates to orchestrate Meese’s departure.

The Wall Street Journal reported that former Defense Secretary Caspar W. Weinberger and seasoned political adviser Stuart Spencer are among those now convinced Meese cannot continue to serve under an ethical and legal cloud.

The newspaper said Weinberger, Spencer and other longtime friends and associates have been considering how best to take the issue to Reagan and find a smooth way for Meese to resign and be replaced swiftly by someone of high stature.

Bush Among Critics

Vice President George Bush was reported to be among those sharing the view that Meese cannot remain in office. First Lady Nancy Reagan was said to be aware of that sentiment, but wary of pushing the issue with her husband.

While insisting he was “not aware” of the report, Reagan hastened to assert that the newspaper’s story “was completely inaccurate.” When pressed on whether he would approve of such a plan to force Meese out, he replied, “No.”

Asked finally whether he could envision any circumstances under which he would ask Meese, who first joined his staff more than 20 years ago, to resign, Reagan replied, “Well, if he had a complete change of character.”

First Lady Not Involved

Meantime, Elaine Crispen, the First Lady’s press secretary, denied that Mrs. Reagan has been pushing for Meese’s ouster as she did in the case of former White House Chief of Staff Donald T. Regan. “Mrs. Reagan has not been making any phone calls,” Crispen said. “She has not discussed it with the President.”

Meese’s ethical, legal and financial affairs--ranging from his contact with the Wedtech Corp., a New York defense contractor, to his involvement in a proposed $1-billion Iraqi pipeline project--have been under investigation by independent counsel James C. McKay.

Although McKay recently took the unusual step of announcing that he would not seek Meese’s indictment on the basis of evidence collected to that date, he is expected to level sharp criticism at the attorney general’s judgment and actions in a report due next month.

Exodus of Officials

The swirl of controversy around Meese has caused an exodus of top Justice Department officials. Two of them, William F. Weld and Arnold I. Burns, held a secret meeting with Reagan last week, during which they spelled out their concern that Meese’s problems have crippled the Justice Department and eroded his ability to continue serving as the nation’s top law enforcement officer.

Whatever impact the two former officials had may have been short-lived. Reagan’s meeting with them was followed in short order by one with Meese, in which the attorney general was said to have offered a vigorous defense of his actions and his association with E. Robert Wallach, a key figure in the McKay investigation.